eadership is
humbling.
It can bring you to
your knees, leaving you feeling profoundly alone.
Those moments as a leader are painful.
It is impossible to do leadership perfectly. That has to be released. The best we can do is lead ethically. Create companies that are healthy. With healthy conflict. Healthy struggles.
Leadership done right makes you realize you have the livelihood of many upon your shoulders.
The responsibility rocks you to your core.
I want my company, Edlong, to thrive. I want Edlong’s employees to thrive. I want them to grow and prosper amongst each other. Regardless of me. I want them to find their best versions of themselves. And selfishly, I want them to want me to find the best version of my self.
I recently attended our annual Commercial Team awards dinner. I arrived early at the hotel for the awards night to review an employee survey that landed like a gut punch. I thought we had passed this. I thought we had evolved to a great place to work. Apparently, some individuals were frustrated and unhappy. That kills a leader.
I want them all happy and thriving. I read and re- read the feedback. There is work to do. As
a leader it is so easy to either cry our eyes out…or go numb. I cry my eyes out. I dig deep and try and become the leader they deserve.
I walked into the room for the awards dinner with my heart open. Listen. Feel them and their angst, their trials and their tribulations. What am I not seeing? What can I do better? What do they need?
The awards started.
L
Leadership is not about us. Leadership is about the community we create. We long for the belonging into that community.