Leaders Feel First
Most of us think of leadership as a position that guides and serves a group. The concept of Servant Leadership is widely understood. I appreciate Simon Sinek's book, “Leaders Eat Last,” and recommend it to any leader, as it highlights the importance of putting others first.
While leaders should eat last and put others ahead of themselves, leaders should be the first to feel the challenges of those they serve. Maybe that’s the title of a good book, “Leaders Feel First”.
This concept of feeling first ties into another key responsibility: as leaders, our job is to look ahead and see into the distance. We look ahead to ensure we’re still on track to reach the destination. It also means that we’re the first to see danger on the horizon. The kind that could destroy the ship and harm the crew. Avoidable threats are easy enough to manage emotionally; you make a plan and adjust your heading. You live to sail another day. When the captain sees an unavoidable catastrophe ahead, there’s a cold, sinking feeling of dread that hits them at their core. It’s a fear that exposes their vulnerability and confirms that there is only so much their talent, skills, and character can do in the approaching storm. For the business leader, it’s a coming recession coupled with the loss of several major accounts. For the not-for-profit director, it’s the steady or even sudden decline of donations and volunteers. Quality leaders can all tell you which sea-beasts have the power to destroy their ship.
After good leaders feel... they decide.
From that decision point, leaders then take a good look at the danger, sizing it up and making a judgment call on what it’s going to mean for their people ahead of time. Good leaders prepare themselves before they must prepare the crew. They decide what they will do when the storm hits. Great leaders, the ones we like to tell stories about, are the ones who can see what’s coming, know how much it will hurt, and if it’s in their power, choose to stay with those they serve.
What motivates a leader to remain present amid adversity? I don’t know all of the answers, but I know one of them. The answer is love. Love is a quality that doesn’t always mix with survival strategies. Compassion drives leaders to face hardships alongside their people, providing support when it's needed most. People often need solidarity before solutions, and sometimes love simply means staying steady and clear-headed when others cannot. Your clear-minded decisions and ability to give clear direction will make a world of difference in the lives of those you serve.
The world needs leaders like you at the helm. Keep your eyes on the horizon and be ready to face any challenge. Being a great leader isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about standing with your people when they need you most.