Day #614 - Idealised Leadership

And accepting our imperfection

There may be a gap between the leader we are, and the type of leader we wish to be. Understanding that tension is important, not least because failing to acknowledge it can leave us constantly out of balance.

Striving for an ‘ideal’ self may be a futile gesture - in the work on ‘Imperfect Leadership’ we acknowledge that - and recognise instead that it is the dialogue with our imperfection that really counts. Not to accept it, but neither to view it as failure. Rather to be in that conversation.

Myself, i would like to be a more developmental leader. Someone who really creates safe and supported spaces for people in my team to grow. But i know that i am not that, and i don’t promise that i will become that person. Instead i try to take a more systemic view, to ensure that support is present within a broader team. Accepting my own limitations is a foundation to creating an overall higher performing group.

Use your sixty seconds today to consider this: what is the gap between your current self as a leader, and your idealised self. And is this a gap that needs closing, or simply recognising.

This may sound lazy: why not just do the work to close the gap?

Sometimes, indeed, this is what we should do. But we cannot be everything to everyone. Our leadership is inherently incomplete and imperfect. It’s the dialogue that leaves us open to evolution.