What Kind of Leader Do We Want? (...to be)

What Kind of Leader Do We Want? (…to be) - by Bob Spensley

It is almost impossible not to reflect on the topic of leadership at this time when so many Americans are about to make a collective decision about who they want as their leader, a choice that will impact so much. 

This reflection is critical. Yet, whatever the outcome of the US election, some people will not believe that they had - nor imagine that they have - the power to make any difference in their circumstances anyway.

My point to strongly encourage is that we are in the driver’s seat, no matter what. Even in the most horrible situations, we have the power of our own thoughts. We can either remember what it is to be an ideal leader, or invent the leadership qualities if there are no actual memories to draw from. We can do this at least in our own mind, to the greatest degree possible while still acknowledging that the outside information we’re bombarded with is full of its own self-interest. The value of this exercise - asking ourselves what qualities we admire in our leaders - is to examine at our core how we want to be influenced, which will impact how we ourselves may aim to impact others. 

The definition of a great leader, from what I believe, is being a person who makes other people around them want to be their best selves. The character traits I’d offer are integral, mindful, well-informed, responsible, compassionate, respectful, inclusive, emotionally intelligent, discerning and wise. I would like the people in leadership positions to be strategic in both their short and long term thinking, and have a sense of purpose with their actions that bring dignity, health and sustainable prosperity to the people within their influence.

The leaders among us are not only politicians. We all exert more influence on others than we know. Who does each one of us individually influence? Our families, friends, colleagues, neighbours? All of the above, and then some? Given we all leave a mark, what can we each do to influence well? This is where it becomes purposeful to write this. If we wait for formal leaders to save us in a storm at sea, it’s like trying to decide by divided committee how others will bail out our boat while it’s sinking. Each one of us needs to become the people we want our leaders to be, for the sake of everybody in the boat. Not necessarily by saying divisive things on a politically biased social media post, but in doing the small kind things we can do and in being the decent people we can be. By making choices that we can have some control over. In the case of the sinking boat, we can be bailing with our own hands, and in the process helping all the other people to stay safe. 

Granted some of the major world decisions are out of our direct sphere of influence. But equally valid is that we are here, and even the smallest things we do have repercussions on ourselves and the others around us. Who knows how far the ripples we create or co-create (positive or negative) will go, and whose direction they might slightly influence over time? We are all leaders in this way. 

What kind of leader do we want to be?

- Bob Spensley