Leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept that involves both illuminating the way, while casting shadow along the way.
On the one hand, leaders are responsible for guiding others towards success. They inspire and motivate others to achieve great things, and they provide the light that illuminates the path forward.
However, leadership also involves casting shadows. As leaders, our actions and decisions can have a profound consequence on those around us. As a result, sometimes these consequences can make people unhappy or dislike our actions.
At the end of the day, leadership isn’t a popularity contest. It’s about doing what is best for the company and its people. As a result, leadership expectations comes with its dualities.
Here are four ways in which leadership has a duality:
Confident and humble. Leaders must be confident in their abilities and decisions, but they must also be humble enough to recognize and learn from their mistakes.
Strong and flexible. Leaders must be able to take a strong stance when necessary, but they must also be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to changing circumstances.
Strategic and tactical. Leaders must be able to think strategically and plan for the long term, but they must also be able to execute on the details and handle the tactical aspects of their job.
Individual and team. Leaders must be able to work independently and take ownership of their own work, but they must also be able to collaborate and work effectively as part of a team.
Control and delegation. Leaders must be able to maintain control and make important decisions, but they must also be willing to delegate and trust others to handle important tasks and responsibilities.
Leading and serving. Leaders must be able to take the lead and guide others towards success, but they must also be willing to serve and support their team members in order to help them achieve their goals.
Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world.
Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds
of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership
program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance
and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership
and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with
the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR,
Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others.
Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
