I sent out my email to Leadership Reno County alumni on 11/20/13. Here’s what I wrote this week:
About a month ago, I wrote about how there is a huge gap between our current reality and our expectations. Part of my contention, as reflected in recent weeks was that bridging the gap between those challenges we face and where we’d like them to be takes us acting different. It requires us to engage in an act of leadership, which will help move people to difficult work. We talked a bit about authority and how anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere, it’s not just the most gifted people at the table that can bridge the gaps you see in your reality.
Today, one further point I want to hold up is how working to bridge this gap starts with you and must engage others. There’s way too much (of the wrong kinds of) action in two extremes, methinks. On the one hand, many of us sit around and make excuses as to why we can’t make progress. Maybe we’re not the authority or the decision maker or how it may be costly and we don’t have time. On the other hand, it’s easy to slip into “expert mode” and give a million reasons why those working for progress aren’t effective. One is kind of a passive critique (I’d do it this way) and one is an active one (what could little ol’ me do). And, our principle today is that making progress in these areas starts with you. You. Not the other person or someone who’s going after it “wrong” but you. And, your engagement is with others. It’s working in collaboration with others for the common good.
So, today, revisit that area that you’d give yourself for. What progress would you like to see made? What are you waiting for? Acts of leadership start with you and must engage others. Let’s move in, then, for the common good and progress of our community.