Leadership Notes -- Thoughts on Leading People and Making a Difference in Organizations
Word count this issue: 429
Estimated reading time: 2:45 minutes
We’ve just had the first long weekend of the ‘summer’ here in Canada. It was wonderful on the Coast. Sunny, and warming up. We gardened, visited and barbequed; a good rest. On the recommendation of a young friend, I also started reading the Harry Potter books. I’ve seen most of the movies, but unlike so many people, I had never read the books. I have devoured the first and am finishing the second since last week.
Among many things I’ve been enjoying is the journey of self discovery. The books are not just about a boy growing into adulthood, they are about three young people; Harry, Hermione and Ron, uncovering their very beings. It is one of the key elements of leadership that we each uncover our own beings; we become increasing self-aware and find out why we’re here.
At the end of The Philosopher’s Stone for example Ron, the scared young boy, who has spent his life under the shadows of his very successful and knowledgable older brothers, bullied incessantly for his station in life, acts in a most courageous way, sacrificing himself (at least to unconsciousness) on the living chess board to allow Harry and Hermione the opportunity to move to the next part of the challenge. He moves beyond the story he has told himself and allows others tell about him, to find his own courageous being. Harry of course finds a number of these moments, including finding out he is a natural quidditch seeker, simply by trying something new out. Hermione, the rule following young girl, becomes an ethicist halfway through the Chamber of Secrets; learning to balance the rules and justice, what is the right thing to do?
As leaders, becoming self-aware is key to our long term success; Like Ron, we need to learn that as much as our egos might say different, it really is about others and the bigger picture. Like Harry, more often than not you just have to go for it, step on to the flying broom to find our gifts. Like Hermione, the models we’ve grown up with need to be challenged and even pushed aside to allow us to grow into who we are called to be.
May this week be filled with growth for each and every one of us.
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