The Nature of Leadership

What is the nature of LEADERSHIP

Leadership Defined?

To begin to answer that question, many start out by trying to define leadership. Is it:

  • the position or function of a leader?
  • to provide purpose, direction, and motivation?
  • influence?
  • setting the example?
  • having followers?
  • having certain characteristics?
  • to accomplish organizational objectives?
  • etc. etc. etc.?

Google it

We might even start by googling leadership. If you do that, you’ll receive 5.6+ billion results. Additionally, you’ll discover that experts have tallied over 1500+ leadership definitions, over 40+ leadership theories, and numerous styles, historical views, and myths. All of this only seems to complicate the issue of the true nature of leadership.

I’m always surprised by the answers I get when I ask someone “What is the nature, definition, or purpose of leadership?”… as well as how hard it seems to be to answer the question. Any one of those three variants seems to stop people dead in their tracks… every time. After a very long pause, I usually get one of the examples I used above.

Leadership Re-imagined, Simplified, and Re-defined

I’d like to suggest a way to simply leadership so that we can all do it more easily and more naturally. So, here’s my attempt:

Leadership is contributing to an environment where others flourish.

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I cannot do
All the good
That the world
Needs
But the world
Needs all the good
That I can do.”

Jana Stanfield

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”

Epictetus

Extraordinary Golf (Perigee Trade; Reprint edition April 1, 1997)

Most golfers approach the tee with a complex mental package: worries and judgments about their swing, the other person’s swing, the course, the weather, looking good, looking bad. They think about what’s wrong instead of what’s possible, and this is what Extraordinary Golf teaches: the art of the possible.

Drawing on his experience teaching both amateurs and professionals for more than fifteen years, in his clinics around the country, in his Golf in the Kingdom seminars at the Esalen Institute, and at his own School for Extraordinary Golf in California, Shoemaker shows how extraordinary golf can be coached, learned, and practiced, with results not only in people’s scores but in their sheer pleasure in the game.

Combining a host of practical exercises with an entirely new point of view, he demonstrates how to focus not on the voices in your head but on the reality of golf: the club, the ball, your body, the course – the elements that actually make up your game. He shows how to approach shots creatively, instead of mechanically; how to read greens simply by staying awake; how to develop a powerful and consistent swing by rediscovering trust for your instincts; and how to improve yourself in competition by determining what you’re competing for. He also gives simple guidelines on how to coach yourself, your spouse, and your children successfully.

Fred Shoemaker, who began teaching golf in the seventies, is the founder of Extraordinary Golf®, named one of Golf Magazine’s “25 Best Golf Schools” in America. He lectures and conducts workshops around the world for such organizations as the PGA and the LPGA and for major corporations, including Apple Computer, Oracle, and Pfizer.

Get your copy here through my Amazon Affiliate link: Extraordinary Golf

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In The Following Pages

As I start to unfold the re-imagined leadership conversation here and encourage your involvement and participation, I’d like to start with this quote that describes my true intent.

In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and common sense; and have no other preliminaries to settle with the reader, other than that he will divest himself of prejudice and prepossession, and suffer his reason and his feelings to determine for themselves; that he will put on, or rather that he will not put off, the true character of man, and generously enlarge views beyond the present day.”  Thomas Payne, Common Sense

And, in tribute to Warren Bennis (8 Mar 1925 -31 Jul 2014):

None of us is as good as all of us.--Warren Gamaliel Bennis Click To Tweet

He was a Soldier, an American scholar, organizational consultant, and author, widely regarded as a pioneer of the contemporary field of Leadership studies.

So, please join me as I synthesize and share my insights and observations from my current position. Everything on this site is intended to spark conversation, creativity, and innovation… to encourage you to LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®. Additionally, I will share tips and techniques on personal development, productivity, and my passions (Golf, Fountain Pens and Inks, Photography, Books, Technology, and Racquetball to name a few).

Lead From Your Current Position® is about Self-Development, Partnership, and Service #LFYCP Click To Tweet

My strongest desire is that we generously enlarge our views beyond the present day.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:  What is your biggest obstacle or challenge that keeps you from leading from your current position?

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LeadershipPersonal DevelopmentProductivityPassion

Everyone has the power to achieve greatness–the world is calling out for our genius!”

Wayne Pollard

Be Great! Juliet Doherty at TEDxABQ

I’m perpetually inspired by this beautiful, poised, and wise two-time World Champion Ballerina who, while 15 years old at the time of this presentation, has a great message for us all…

NOW IT’S TIME TO JUST DANCE!”  Juliet Doherty

NOW IT'S TIME TO JUST DANCE!--Juliet Doherty Click To Tweet

Go Juliet!… from your #1 FAN!

Juliet Doherty, dancer and philosopher extraordinaire’s TEDxABQ talk is live!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it with your friends, and be sure to subscribe to the LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION® email list!

Subscribe to LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®

Check out the Blog Posts in these Categories:
LeadershipPersonal DevelopmentProductivityPassion

To dance is to throw yourself fully into your passions. Let go, express your joy, and leap with abandon!”

Juliet Doherty