New Definition of Leadership

Whenever I hear anyone say something about "A New Definition of Leadership", I can't help but think,"Yeah, right." So, if that is your response to the title of this post, I completely understand.  But, read on, you might like this one. 

I first heard this definition from my own brilliant coach, Leza Danly, founder of Lucid Living (www.lucidliving.net).  Here is what she said: "Leadership is not about getting people to follow you.  It's about being willing to go first."

This definition is more about cutting a new path than creating a followership. As I've contemplated it, I've noticed a sense of greater freedom emerge as well as excitement, and a tinge of fear.  First of all, there is the welcomed freedom from trying to convince anyone to follow me -- a relief, actually.  It relieves my ego from one of its seemingly relentless attempts to make me feel adequate, worthy, noble, etc., enough.  (That old story is so boring I can hardly stand it any longer!)  And with this freedom, a new level of excitement emerges.  It's exciting to explore new terrain -- to be out on the leading edge.  So much to be discovered, to be learned.  You get to be a map maker, charting the course.

And, sometimes there's also some fear.  It can be pretty scary to be the first one out there. It's vulnerable to go first.  So easy to make a fool of oneself.  But so what?  Being willing to look like a fool comes with the territory of leadership.  In fact, I think we trust our leaders less when they are always trying to look good.  It's fake and it's a waste of energy. 

Lately, I've been trying on this new definition -- being willing to go first.  I tell you it is life changing.  Consider the places in your life where you are waiting to be led, or waiting for safety, or waiting for the "right time", or waiting for permission.  How would your life change if you were willing to lead, if you were willing to go first?