Relationship is the Currency of Leadership
Leadership is a concept widely discussed, championed, coveted, and cultivated. It seems we are always looking to identify, develop and train people to be leaders. But for what purpose? Why do we need leaders? While there are varied opinions regarding the role of a leader, I believe we need to truly consider our own approach to leadership and why we view it the way we do.
As I have been reflecting on leadership recently, I want to invite you into my own thoughts, journey and recent convergence.
Relationship is the currency of leadership. The more I invest in relationships and develop relationships, the more sizeable my leadership bank account will be. Leadership hinges on the reality that someone has another human or humans who follow them. True leadership is about an individual who is facilitating a group of people toward a cause/mission/purpose. Therefore, every leader must acknowledge two critical relationships that are the foundation of leadership:
- The leaders relationship to the cause/mission/purpose
- The leaders relationship with the people who are helping realize the cause/mission/purpose
Leadership is not about getting things done, or getting things accomplished. Leadership is about relating to a group of people, fostering a compelling relationship with them and helping the unit relate well to the cause/mission/purpose. Relationship is the currency of our leadership. We must know how we are investing...we must know how we are cultivating relationships around us.
The activity and tasks associated with the work we do often crowd out relationship. If we are not careful, we bypass relationship because we have work to do. We trade what is primary for what is secondary. Now don't get me wrong, in order to fully realize one's mission/purpose/cause stuff must get done; however, stuff will get done with more vibrancy and life if the activity flows out of healthy relationships. Leadership is relationship.
Compelling leadership must cultivate a vibrant relationship with the cause/mission/purpose and compelling leadership must cultivate vibrant relationships with the people who have expressed willingness to follow, participate and be led.