The Essence of Leadership
Today we hear from Glen Guyton, a brilliant, brave, and badass leader working and leading in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space.
We've heard over the last few weeks from leaders in our series unpacking L3 Catalyst Group's Ls: Learn, Lead, & Liberate.
At L3 Catalyst Group, we believe that leadership is intention in action. Everyone can be a leader, irrespective of one's formal position. Leadership is significant and complex. It embraces conflict and is grounded in personal and organizational commitments, values, and vision for change. Addressing this complexity requires everyone's engagement to do their own work for the collective whole.
Heartfelt thanks to you, Glen, for sharing your thoughts about leadership.
Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage, rest, and beloved community along the journey.
How much of a difference do leaders really make? And the big question: Are leaders born or created through intentional education?
Who have you inspired today?
“To engage with people and then create the change they seek. To understand their worldviews and talk and act in ways that align with who they are and what they want. To connect people to one another in an infinite game of possibility.” - Seth Godin, This is Marketing
I love this quote from Seth Godin. The quote is about marketing, but it speaks to leadership for me.
Why is Leadership Important to Me?
Leadership isn't just a position; it's a sacred calling. Great leaders are the drivers or at least the navigators of vehicles for positive change, fostering transformative organizational shifts and engendering genuine connections. Leadership is getting people to see and believe in infinite possibilities. Leaders thrive in and drive change. Over the years, I have appreciated leadership's multi-faceted, diamond-like characteristics. Each leader has their cut, which adds to the overall brilliance and impact leaders bring to our world.
At the core of my leadership philosophy is empathy and potential. Empathy enables us to relate to people, understand their experiences, and ultimately create environments where everyone feels valued. When you lead with empathy, it not only strengthens the organization's fabric but also helps craft an environment that maximizes potential. Leadership, for me, is less about authority and more about enabling empowerment, accelerating growth, and building enduring value inside the humans I serve.
How Has Leadership Shown Up in My Life in Meaningful Ways?
Inspiration is how I measure the impact of my leadership. Who have I inspired, and how has that inspiration made someone's life better?
My journey in leadership has been richly diverse, spanning both the private and non-profit sectors. It has always been about more than just titles; it's about living out my core values in every interaction. Leadership is never about compromising your ideals; it is about sharing them.
I've had the honor of inspiring others to embrace change and growth. For me, the reward is seeing a "light bulb moment" in someone's eyes. It is seeing my work copied by others. It is about hearing stories I had long forgotten from the people I led decades ago, sharing with me the difference I had in their lives. These experiences have been pillars in my life, shaping me as a leader who can adapt, engage, and deliver.
What Does Leadership Look, Sound Like, or Feel Like to Me?
Leadership looks like a room where voices are heard, perspectives are valued, and roles are clear. Good leadership is a constructive dialogue where everyone is involved in creating solutions and fulfilling the team's mission. And it feels like a space where even if you fail, you understand you're still an integral part of a greater journey—a journey towards collective success.
A good leader reads the room, not just the report. It means employing a culturally competent approach to acknowledge the cultural nuances contributing to the team's dynamism.
In conclusion, leadership isn't just a role to me; it's a holistic experience. It's a lifetime commitment to personal growth and to lifting others along the way. By driving transformative change and fostering genuine connections, the essence of leadership is about creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to shine and giving them space to do so.
I love being a leader in all its complexity and beauty. Leaders help to shape a vision that serves as the compass to guide communities and organizations through every challenge and opportunity. We all need and deserve good leaders.
Learn more about Glen Guyton at glenguyton.com.
What Glen is Reading:
- Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Glen's Questions for Consideration Regarding Leadership :
- Reflect on a moment when a leader opened your eyes to new opportunities or possibilities. How did it change your course?
- Have you ever been part of a team where the leader showed an acute understanding of cultural nuances? How did it impact team dynamics and effectiveness?
- How can you implement empathy in your own leadership style?
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