I caught a brief discussion on TV the other day between four religious scholars who were discussing the leadership of Moses, Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. What they felt was one of the most important similarities among these leaders was that they were all “called” to their leadership roles – and, for the most part, reluctantly.
They didn’t spend their early years making “all the right political moves” to position themselves as leaders, and they certainly didn’t develop their own value system based on the “constituency” they wanted to lead. No, they were men of truth and justice who were called to say “yes” when it would have been easier for them – for anyone – to say, “I’m not the right person for this role” or, “I’m afraid” – for myself, for my family, of failure, or that I’m simply not worthy…
Is it that reluctant leadership – leadership that does not come from arrogance, ego, political confidence and aspiration, or a privileged birth that is predictive of the best leaders?
And, because of their reluctance to be leaders, are the best leaders also the most vulnerable?
If vulnerability is defined as, “capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt, “and “open to temptation or persuasion,” then would you define Moses, Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. as vulnerable? I would.
And I wonder… is it their vulnerability that makes them stand out in our minds as truly great – because we know what they endured physically and emotionally – or did their vulnerability make them better leaders because their followers knew their true hearts, minds and souls?
If it’s the first case – that their vulnerability – their physical and emotional suffering, the temptation to say “no” when they knew they were called to say “yes” – is what makes them stand out in our minds as truly great, then what does that mean to us as leaders? Goodness knows I’m hoping that we don’t have to bear such suffering in order for us to be great at leading our teams, companies and organizations.
So that brings us to the second option. Perhaps it’s the fact that their hearts, minds and souls were stripped of all walls and were thus an open book for their followers to read; the fact that their followers recognized and understood their vulnerability, that made them great leaders that others so willingly and passionately followed. If this is the case – is this something that we as leaders can aspire to?
I think so.
I wrote in my post about the art of tearing down constricting walls that I wanted to strip off my own walls because they were not only preventing me from breathing, they were preventing others from seeing and feeling the real passion and enthusiasm I have for them and for my teams, colleagues, and for big ideas that I think can genuinely change the world. I can’t tell you how many times recently I’ve heard others back down from using words that emit passion and enthusiasm because they didn’t want to step outside of what is often considered “proper” corporate behavior. People who’ve literally retracted the word “love” as fast as it rolled off their tongues and who fear embracing the hearts of their customers.
When I think about Moses, Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. I think about the word “love.” I think about people who loved and embraced their followers and their communities. People who empowered their “customers/fans” and acted in their best interest rather than self-interest out of genuine love for them. They let their enthusiasm for their causes – which literally means the spirit of god within – shine through without any hesitation, even when they were most vulnerable.
Can we, as leaders, aspire to such acts of courage…? I know the leaders I most respect and find myself inspired by are the ones who are doing just that. How about you? Please share…
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Photo is Put Your Heart Out There by Coach Cassandra Rae.
24 Response Comments
When you mix human vulnerability with attachment to high principles – and add in personal courage – you get a potent leadership combination. I think a good amount of leadership can occur with any 2 of those elements present, but all three – that is rare, and nearly irresistible!
Steve,
You know, I think that’s a brilliant insight – perhaps it’s the combination itself that simply has the right chemistry? And the word irresistible – that’s a word that I love as a leader and also as a marketer. 🙂 Thanks so much, as always, for reflecting…
Lisa,
Thanks for an inspiring post about leadership, vulnerability and “love”. True leaders blaze their own trails …. they don’t follow the old path. Leaders also focus on being excellent at what they do everyday. They reach not only our hearts and minds but our human spirit as well.
Mark
Thank you, Mark – and you have no idea how much I love your comment about hearts and minds *and spirit.* I love that you see that and wonder why so many are afraid to recognize it…
Your kind words and readership mean so much to me! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment…
As always a wonderful way to start the week Lisa.
After reading this, I thought of two things… The first was I was reminded of Joseph Campbell’s “reluctant hero”. Ordinary people – thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
As I’ve heard so many say before – courage (or “leadership” depending on the quote) is not being unafraid. Courage is having the fear – and then continuing in spite of it. I think that’s what the leaders you quote in your post exhibited so beautifully. That’s the “light” or “love” that I think you’re referring to.
For us as business folk – where (lets face it) we’re unlikely to face the same dramatic conclusions as those mentioned – I think you’re right on that it’s a willingness to vulnerability that gives us the power to shine our light (our love).
Then, secondly I’m reminded of my spiritual mentor again (funny how your posts do that) who said of succeeding – “be powerful enough to be vulnerable. Be forgiving enough to transform. Be humble enough to transcend. You don’t have to be perfect. Just be enough”.
Wonderful way to start the week!
~rr
Robert,
Seriously we have some form of mind meld here… This weekend I dived into the book, “The Passion of Isis and Osiris” by Jean Houston – about the Egyptian myth that formed the basis of future Greek and Roman myths. The author refers in her very first page to Joseph Campbell’s, “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” and talks about how she worked with Joseph Campbell in the last 20 years of his life. 🙂
Beautiful insights on what that light/that love really are and OMG Robert that quote from your spiritual mentor seems to wrap all the advice *any* of us could ever need into one beautiful phrase. I’m stunned and moved – and so thankful.
Robt: don’t forget that Campbell also says, in so many words, that, “when the hero refuses the call, the gods laugh at him.” Ain’t that what happens when we turn our backs on our own true path! (I’m guessing here – still looking for the path, myself!)
SD
Stephen,
Yes – that’s absolutely what happens. I think they laugh until we listen… 🙂
I love that both you and Robert have talked about Campbell here…! Honored to be your fellow MENG colleague!
“I can’t tell you how many times recently I’ve heard others back down from using words that emit passion and enthusiasm because they didn’t want to step outside of what is often considered “proper” corporate behavior.”
That one line, amongst all the others in your fascinating and brilliant post, struck a responsive chord with me.
It’s actually quite amazing that in today’s world, the mantra of “corporate America” is still very much the same as it was 30, 40, 50 years ago.
It’s amazing and sad at the same time…
And check out my post from today… think you’ll see a common theme, ironically.
Steve,
Wow – very kind words, thank you so much. And yes, unfortunately it is, or at least it is for many that I work with…
And I love your blog post today – congrats on the new division as well! – beautiful and very touching advice for all of us. It’s advice I need to be much better at taking, as a matter of fact! (I still spend way too much time on my hair!) 🙂
Lisa – Wonderful and powerful post. I know you’ve recently started sharing your thoughts with this blog, but the leadership and passion you exude is inspiring to say the least.
I think it’s so important to use passionate words – and emotional color – to connect in the corporate world. There’s way too much sanitized drivel in the name of political correctness – and it doesn’t get results or inspire action. Isn’t the adage if you appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one pretty much true across the board?
How we talk as a company is something I’ve been pushing here for some time and as an organization, we’re making progress, but still have opportunities for growth there.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you Patrick,
Those are some pretty hefty words and they mean a lot to me. I think it’s tremendous that you’re trying to make changes in regard to how companies and organizations talk about themselves. Please share what works with us here as you learn new things – it’s inspiring to know that other leaders not only see the importance but are working to bring change!
Oh, and P.S. – I love that phrase “sanitized drivel!” 🙂
Very interesting thoughts Lisa.
You ask if these things are something that we as striving leaders can aspire to…
I don’t think so. Can we aspire to be vulnerable in a manner that will lead to such leadership roles? This seems more like something that can only occur naturally.
I think the message here is that we much be committed to our morals and ideals. When the opportunity to lead arises, have to confidence to accept the responsibility.
David
Hi David,
I like that – you’re saying it’s not really something we “aspire” to as much as perhaps it should come through in your own natural leadership style? For some, this will be the case. For others, it will take more work to really empower *themselves* to be vulnerable – to be confident enough once you “accept the responsibility” to not change who you are and how you relate to others…
I’m honored and thrilled that you chose to comment, David – it means a lot to me!
Leadership can be a very lonely journey within a team environment. There have been generations of reluctant leaders teaching reluctant leaders which is the reason why many – some say most – work environments suffer leadership deficiencies.
All too often the top sales person gets the sales manager gig, the best marketing person scores the CMO chair and the person best in front of a crowd gets the leadership role in the political party.
Sports is a common analogy to life and the coach is not often as talented as the players but knows how to get the most out of that talent.
Is this a question of skills or the unattainable bar of perfection that stops people from leading?
Kneale,
Excellent points. In the sales and marketing examples those leaders were most certainly *not* called to their leadership roles, and I fault the current leadership for making bad talent management moves. In the end, I think what you’re getting at with these examples is they’re simply people who are not real leaders and yet they are put into leadership roles. This is why talent management is such a critical part of a CEO/leader’s role and should be one of their top priorities – but rarely seems to be…
Lisa,
Early on, I learned from my father that the only legitimate way to be a leader was to be a “servant leader.” He was a white Methodist minister from Nebraska (who was arrested with Dr. King in the South), married to an incredibly strong Black woman from Chicago. They were tough AND loving.
Teddy Roosevelt talks about how his father trained him to be both decent (loving?) and tough. Having an obvious measure of toughness means that people will hesitate before they take advantage of your loving, decent nature. I also like Machiavelli’s view of whether it is better to be feared or loved (and his words are often misunderstood).
Hans,
It sounds like you have an incredible and beautiful personal story. I hope that we’ll have the chance to meet in person someday – I’d love to hear more… 🙂 Thank you, as always, for sharing here.
Lisa,
I read your beautifully written post and then wondered quietly how different the television program may have been had the religious scholars included some historical female leaders (albeit not necessarily overt religious leaders.)
The adjectives vulnerable and loving apply to women as well and we can learn from the moving biographies of woman such as: Wu Zetian, Elizabeth I, Catherine II, Indira Ghandi, Golda Meir, Hatsheput, Queen Victoria, Benazir Bhutto, Margaret Thatcher…and Mother Teresa, to name a few.
Courage…
Judy
Lisa,
I did not mean to imply that each of the women I listed above were all loving and beyond reproach. What I was attempting to offer is that many women have been called to positions of leadership throughout history…and their actions (or at least some of their actions) were not always loving.
Judy
Judy,
Thank you for the kind words and thoughtful comment. You know, it’s funny that it really didn’t occur to me at the time that they weren’t focused at all on women given that the discussion itself was engrossing. And yet in your beautiful list of women I do recognize vulnerability and inspiring strength. Thank you for making me think about this from a whole different perspective!
This post has some amazingly emotional ramifications. In many ways the leaders you spoke of were willing to die for their cause and did so. Too often I notice individuals who settle just to keep the peace. Companies are so wrapped up in stats and numbers that they forget that they are human and risk Terminator type scenarios in their companies. Allowing vulnerability takes a great deal of courage which is a quality that is sorely lacking which Steve points out in his comment is super important. Become valiant at what you do and you will create a cause that will not be defeated. Your post has touched me once again Lisa.
Jonathan,
I really appreciate this insight and just love your quote, “Become valiant at what you do and you will create a cause that will not be defeated…”
That’s exceptional – truly. Thank you for sharing!