If I asked you what makes a great leader, would your answer be the same as everyone else?I was recently listening to a podcast with a leader I find incredibly inspiring. His analogy about leadership was so simple, but it opened up a much bigger question about what being a leader looks like when nobody is watching. He described a room where everyone is sitting comfortably on the sofa, but the window is open and it’s cold. Everyone knows someone needs to get up and close it but nobody wants to move. So, he said, the leader is the person who gets up. That’s it. No grand vision. No motivational speech. No generic instagram content. Just someone noticing what needs to be done and being willing to get off the sofa and do it. And I think there is something truly brilliant about that. Leadership is often discussed in terms of strategy, influence, communication, emotional intelligence and decision-making. All important, of course. But leadership can be simple. And maybe a little annoying, on occasion! It’s noticing that something isn’t working and doing something about it. It’s asking, “What does my team need from me right now?” no matter how small that need. And perhaps, most importantly, it’s understanding that leadership isn’t always about having the biggest title. Sometimes it’s about being the person who gets up. With experience and time, the way you lead will change. As you begin your journey, you may have a much stronger and more directive style. As your team grows around you that approach may no longer work and communication will be more at the centre. The need to evolve is striking. And the answer to “What makes a great leader?” shouldn’t be the same for everyone. Because for leadership to be truly effective, it needs to be personal - to the person doing the leading, and to those following. I’m pretty sure everyone reading this has someone they consider to be a great leader, someone whose leadership they admire and perhaps even aspire to emulate. I’m equally sure that person will be different from mine, and the leader I’ve referenced here. And that, I think, is rather the point. So, as is my usual style, let’s take a moment to reflect and ask ourselves: Are you willing to get off the sofa when something needs doing? Are you listening enough to know when your leadership style needs to change?
And perhaps the simplest question of all: 3. What is the window in your team that needs closing? You’re doing great! Michelle
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