I feel uncomfortable being seen as a leader. I shy away. I avoided for many years getting up on any kind of stage to speak my mind. I’ve felt uncomfortable being seen as an expert.
My leadership has always been community-driven. I’m driven by the people and their wisdom. Their needs, or lack of. My curiosity starts with them. My focus became to find ways to help people. And to enable them, or put them up on the stage.
There’s a famous saying: Start with why.
I prefer to say: Start with your people.
Perhaps people are our why. Or we find our why through our people.
Thoughts inspired by The Need for More Inclusive Leadership Narratives:
Leadership manifests in multiple ways. It is as complex and dynamic as the people, communities, and situations that call it into being. Inspirations and actions that drive change are both individual and collective.
Leadership is community-driven. It is relational and anchored in the wisdom of the people most impacted by social injustices. They understand their community’s needs and assets and have vital insights into potential solutions.
Leadership, when diversified, drives systemic change. When there is room for all ways of leading, root causes and solutions come to light. Organizations and movements can accelerate change by shifting structures and cultures to support leadership in all its forms.
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