Hello, Trailblazer!

How is the new year so far? It’s pretty typical for a lot of us to have a vision, goals, and even a plan for the year but get bogged down in the weeds of reality a few weeks in. I have found that implementing the annual plan I came up with is difficult because of all the things on my schedule that aren’t directly related to my business but are related to my work in general. Most of them are volunteer leadership roles.

Saying ‘yes’ got me here
A while back, at least two years and maybe three, I made a decision to become intentional about saying ‘yes’ to opportunities when I was ambivalent but knew they would challenge me. I recognize that my basic temperament is slow to warm up and I usually consider things a long time before committing.

Following this intention I volunteered to join a committee at my first meeting of the local chapter of ICF, the International Coach Federation. I also agreed to be on the team updating the coaching curriculum for the introductory Foundations course at MentorCoach.

Continuing to say ‘yes’ I learned a lot about the nuances of leadership
At ICF North Texas I went on to say ‘yes’ to helping with the annual PRISM award event, attending a regional leadership retreat, and now serving on the chapter board. At MentorCoach I said ‘yes’ to being the facilitator of monthly Coaching In Action calls where trainers provide coaching demonstrations for the learning community.

All of these positions are considered to be some level of leadership. But here’s the thing. When I hear ‘leadership’ I usually think that implies followers and authority over other people. In fact, in a very thought-provoking leadership coaching course I took, our instructor asked, “What makes a leader?” One of the first answers given was that in order to be a leader you have to have followers.

I questioned that then. Today I’m pushing back and taking a stand.

Leadership Does NOT Require Followers

On the first ICF North Texas committee I took ownership of part of a large project. All that meant was that I was responsible to complete it and accountable to the committee. Working on PRISM I was vice-chair, but in fact that meant I had a lot of little responsibilities including coordinating other people’s work. At the leadership retreat I was a member of a community coming together to share ideas, collaborate, and define common ground. On the board I am again carrying assigned responsibilities and am accountable to fellow board members and the membership overall to complete them.

So what IS leadership?
When I need help I can ask for it and hopefully find people who will volunteer. But it’s my responsibility to make sure things happen. I don’t have any followers. I don’t have any authority to direct other people. I have a vote on board matters, but even then I vote in a fiduciary role, for the best interest of current and future members, not thinking only of myself.

On the curriculum update team at MentorCoach I had a strong say in editing and adding material, but I didn’t have the authority to make final choices. Someone else did. But by using my voice and bringing my ideas to the table I shared in leading as we together defined the direction the update would take.

Sharing a vision and getting people on board
As facilitator of the Coaching In Action calls, I am in a role of responsibility. I actually have very little authority. I have to coordinate with colleagues to find out if and when they can volunteer to offer coaching demonstrations and I am asked to communicate about the calls to the community on a fairly predictable schedule. I have accepted the responsibility and have accountability to the organization and to the community.

Self-employment: the quintessence of leader with no followers
In my own business I am self-employed and do not have any employees. I am responsible for what needs to happen and accountable to myself. I will sometimes ask my coaching group for guidance or ideas. Occasionally I ask that they be witnesses to my accountability so that it feels more important to reach goals I have set. I carry the responsibility, I make the decisions, and I do the work. I have no followers. But I am definitely the leader of my business.

I give it direction. It represents my vision. The character of my business comes from my better qualities and my aspiration to become the best version of myself.

I am the leader, and I have no followers. I have clients, vendors, and service providers, but I have no followers.

Organizations don’t own the term ‘Leadership’
I don’t believe leadership requires followers or creates followers. I believe a commitment to core values and to excellent work can radiate qualities of character and shared priorities that attract people to you. I believe that radiated character brings clients who feel delighted in working with you and ambassadors for your business who are enthusiastic in telling others about your work, the good you do in the world.

A leader can serve and inspire a tribe by teaching, training, and guiding them, but they aren’t followers. The benefit from the leader’s knowledge, wisdom, experience, and spirit. They are made better in their interactions with the leader. They may admire some things about the leader and aspire to develop similar capabilities and qualities. But they aren’t followers.

They aren’t under the authority of the leader. They can take a drink and move on or immerse themselves. They aren’t committed. They can come and go.

Let’s claim ‘Leadership’ as our own
When I work with people on developing their leadership abilities, I rarely work with people who are thinking in terms of a role of authority and responsibility over others within an organization. Even those who are in such roles are really looking to develop their ability to engage with their core values and strengths and radiate the character of who they are in all situations. They are seeking to develop and express their true self so they can be a strong, agile, confident force for good who inspires others to do the same.

So that is my definition of leadership.

Apply it: What are you in charge of that can bring out your best self? How can you be a force for good and inspire others to do the same?

May you be a strong, agile, confident force for good on your trail.

Take Care,

Stephen Coxsey, MA, PCC
Professional Certified Coach (ICF)
Self Empowerment and Leadership

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About Steve Coxsey

Steve collaborates with his clients to design and implement a customized plan for success, well-being, and fulfillment for themselves and the people they lead. They thrive on a personally meaningful path and promote a culture of thriving wherever they are in charge.

Steve is a supportive ally to his clients. They are typically people in charge who have to juggle competing responsibilities in a variety of roles. They have a compelling vision of what they would like to create or accomplish and are committed to turning it into reality. To make that happen, they develop the agilities of leadership to be able to empower and direct themselves, craft meaningful work, and inspire others.

Would you like that to be you?

Are you ready for a creative, dynamic, collaborative partnership focused on turning your vision into results?

Get started with a no-risk 30-40 minute consultation. It’s complimentary, so all it will cost you is a little bit of time. You can schedule the complimentary call using this online tool. You can also call 817-416-8971 or e-mail Steve@SteveCoxsey.com to set up the call.

Click here for more information than you could possibly ever want to know about Steve.

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