Love Letters from Leadership (1)

Hello Leaders

We come to you from a place of deep love for and of leadership; where we hold space for fellow leaders wanting to explore and expand their leadership practice.

This week at TouchPoint, we’re concerned about what leadership qualities we may unintentionally accept and even expect when it comes to business. When countries or councils are criticised for poor performance, both in delivery and financials, the same narrative crops up:  that we need a businessman to fix it. 

I wonder what we mean by that? And what leadership behaviour we expect and accept to overlook in that? This narrative talks of “getting the job done” (are we implying no matter what?); of “getting back to basics” (back, it’s always “back”); all messaging is around “ the job” - this entity of great heft and substance that needs to be dealt with. 

But what is this job? And what is the job of business? 

What is the job of leadership in business? 

Who defines it? 

Who controls it?

Who perpetuates it?

And is it possible to transform it or do we need to build anew?

These are the questions we asked of leadership this week. 

And this was their response: 

It is not only possible to transform it, it is your right and your duty as leaders to transform it; into whatever it needs to be for that era, month, day, minute - as per the needs of the project and your team. 

Leadership is not static; it is also not prescriptive. You can and should be led by the values, vision and mission of your organisation and after that, you need to look deep inside for what leadership means to you and how you can be that in service to your organisation and team.

There is no one leadership practice. There is only your leadership practice. Be bold, be inspirational, be kind, be visionary, be supportive, be amazing. And then be irrefutably good at the job of business. 

The clue to leadership is in the practise of it. You won’t get it right all the time; and when you get it wrong, claim it (that’s what builds the trust and connection). 

Be ambitious. Think of the leader you aspire to be. Then put in the daily practise. Just one thing. And when that becomes habit, add the one next one thing. This is a marathon; increase your leadership fitness by training. 

We can be ambitious, and wildly successful and inspirational leaders; we just need to practise. 

Let’s give our new generations at work something to aspire to, not run from.

Energy flows where attention goes; where is Leadership inviting you to show up this week? 

Love,

Kate & Áine (Onya)

Ps. If you would like to write your love letter to leadership, please send it to kate@touchpointnz.com and we’ll be in touch