I know that I have been a bit absent this week...
Absent from writing, not absent from observing and thinking about harmony...
I have so many topics that I can't wait to write about.
I promise that I will be more present.
Yesterday, I was talking to one of my mentors and he suggested that I consider going to this week long "Leadership" Class.
My first reaction was "I'd LOVE to!", but what came out of my mouth was...
"I want to stop LEARNING about LEADERSHIP, and I want to START APPLYING what I KNOW!"
"I feel like my time is limited and I spend too much time thinking, reading and learning about leadership and not enough time applying what I know."
That makes me feel inefficient and ineffective. I think I am a pretty good leader. Most of the stuff I read, I feel like I already knew somewhere deep in my gut or my mind.
I want to change the world around me, and I am NOT going to do that by learning.
MIND YOU - I didn't think I could stop myself from learning - because its who I am... but I WISHED that I could.
HIs response caused me pause....
"The moment you stop learning and start knowing, everyone you lead stops learning with you."
He went on, and I heard his words on and off... but his comment was so very powerful.
I don't know exactly where his words stopped and my thoughts took over - but it truly is impossible for me to know exactly what he said and what I thought - because both things where happening simultaneously.
GREAT LEADERSHIP IS LEARNING
LEADERSHIP is not about applying what you know, but rather applying what you learn...
A continuous commitment to learn makes you a relevant, on going leader.
I realize we all "know" enough to teach everybody "something"...
But, I realized that the TONE of leadership is so very different when you are SHARING versus when you are TEACHING...
The perspective and the subtleties of teaching as a fellow student versus as a professor are material... Both appropriate perhaps, but very different...
And, in most situations in life - we prefer to work and live with fellow students than with professors.
THE MOMENT WE STOP LEARNING and START KNOWING, THOSE YOU LEAD STOP LEARNING...
And, I would argue THOSE WHO YOU MOST WANT TO FOLLOW, STOP FOLLOWING...
Teaching from KNOWING is a ONE WAY conversation.
Teaching from LEARNING is a shared conversation and leaves room for discussion.... for reshaping... for CONTINUED LEARNING... for SHARED LEADERSHIP.
Those who I most want following me... are those who challenge, those who question, those who own... those who have a curiosity for the journey and a passion to ultimately lead themselves...
Almost always.... those people are committed to on-going learning themselves (whether they know it or not)...
So, to be a relevant, powerful, engaging, insightful leader... I must always be learning.... I must always be sharing...
And, the key is not to reduce the time I spend learning...
The key to applying more is to STOP doing the minutia... the little stuff that doesn't matter.
The key to leading more is to CONTINUE spending time on the big ideas, on empowering people, on getting others to adopt and shape our vision, our strategy...
The key to leading is to START KNOWING the difference and making different decisions with my time... NOT to stop learning...
That makes sense...
That feels right...
It happens in a moment... and if we stay in that moment... and truly change from a LEARNING mindset to a FIXED mindset... we change... what makes us relevant and interesting changes... and it comes through to those we love and those we work with...
I smile as I write this...
I am excited about what I will accomplish over the next decade...
I am excited about how I am growing... there are many I love and respect following...
I truly have so much to learn...
I have so much to share...
And, I need to continue to select what matters...
And do less DOING, and BE more LEADING!
Yours in harmony,
Nestor