Scripture

“So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.” (1 Corinthians 9:26)

Thought

We talked on our latest podcast episode about leadership being a skill that can be developed. So much of the language around leadership is flawed.

“They’re such a natural leader.”

“She’s a born leader.”

“He’s just leads so effortlessly.”

All of those comments can be so well intentioned but they fall so short of reality. Sure, there may be environments where a leader can rely on their natural or born instincts. It may be effortless in some cases. But, we know there will always come a time when our default abilities will be maxed out and we will have to level-up our skills.

Truthfully, that is why this weekly newsletter even exists. That’s why this growing community of leaders exists. We recognize as transformational leaders, we’re going to have to be intentional with our leadership capabilities. We know we can’t run aimlessly and hope to end up anywhere worthwhile.

When was the last time you saw an athlete aimlessly train their body and turn into a professional? When was the last time you saw an aspiring doctor aimlessly study for the MCAT and earn high marks? How many lawyers rely on “born abilities” in preparation for the Uniform Bar Examination?

In all these other areas of life, we fundamentally know that the elite in their craft, are disciplined and purposeful about growing their capabilities. But somehow in leadership we fall back on our natural skills and hope it’s enough to handle whatever situation we’re in.

It takes intentional living to level-up as leaders. Intentional decision making to park your car far away from the entrance and leave the reserved space for someone else. Intentional decision making to get out from hiding in the office and instead walk the building encouraging people and being available. Intentional decision making to remember peoples names, look them in the eye, compliment their effort, make them feel known. Intentional decision making to serve your team.

We believe leadership really isn’t all that complex. It’s a series of intentional behaviors, repeated over time, committed to in hour-by-hour decisions.

But we know the biggest decision on this journey is the one where we decide to commit to being the very best leader we can be. Once this decision is made, and we commit to the transformational leadership journey there is no turning back. Everything becomes an opportunity to grow. Everything is filtered through the lens of “how can this make me a better leader?”

We either decide to aimlessly pursue this thing. Or we decide to commit to a higher standard.

We’re either winging it, and left vulnerable on the day when our skills aren’t enough for our surroundings, or we’re chasing the very best for ourselves and our leadership future.

Once we make the decision, all other hour-by-hour decisions become pretty easy. The new expectation becomes the standard.

When has winging it ever led to you being at your very best?

Call to Action

Sign up for our free email course - The Transformational Transition Course. We’ll walk you through six lessons + an invitation to a live call. Find out more on our latest episode of the podcast below!