Often times we find using synonyms a useful way to explore the essence of a topic. Especially when the topic is as broad and abstract as leadership. When discussing leadership, many good sources would offer up similar words such as influence, persuasion, or encouragement. Other might say motivation, organization, or direction. While each of these has their own nuanced description of leadership principles or skills, I offer up to you yet another word for leadership: DEVELOP.
A quick internet search offers the idea that to develop is to grow, or to cause something (or someone) else to grow. Developing also means to become more mature or advanced, or in the sense of ideas, to become more elaborate. Developing is taking what exists and helping it to become more than it is.
What does Development have to do with leadership?
Imagine for a minute a group of people are lost at sea and suddenly find themselves castaways on a small uninhabited island. Let’s consider the personalities of just two people from the group.
The first personality sees this as the end of the road. “No one ever comes out of this alive” they say to themselves, and to others. They look at the ocean before them and see nothing but the relentless ebb and flow of waves that are too large above a seafloor that is too deep. The ocean is a “relentless beast”. The remains of wreckage are the “only” things left, and the mysterious unknown of the island only magnifies it’s lack of natural resources. They see the other survivors as helpers at best, and competitors at worst. After all, if water and food are scarce, who else would be exacerbating that problem but the living?
The second personality sees this scenario as just the present step in a journey. They have a vision of life continuing beyond this crisis. They see the ocean as a wealth of resources that with a little ingenuity can be tapped into and tamed. The remains of wreckage are seen as a set of tools, ones which have already passed the first test of survival and have earned their place among the living, ready to thrive in the face of the challenge. The island itself stands as a monument of life, a testament that life can and does exist in this vast ocean. They see each person as a vital and valuable contributor to the success of the group.
As each of these two personalities move forward consider how differently they will progress.
The first will avoid the ocean, timidly approach the island, and stifle the success of their peers. They are unlikely to move beyond their current circumstances toward a better future because in their mind their is no better future, and there is no way forward. Consequently they won’t take any time, or spend any effort, to develop the people and resources in front of them, but will cower in fear holding on tightly to the few resources they have left.
The second, seeing a better vision of the future and the possibilities around them will then begin to DEVELOP themselves, others, and their system for the better. They will see that the ocean holds both food and water, and so will develop a method to extract it. Knowing that they nor others might know how to do that, they will include them in that process, and in lock step will be developing themselves and others to better succeed at getting food and water from the ocean. They will see the island behind them as another source of food, water, shelter, and more. They will recognize that neither they nor others naturally know how to put those resources to work, but they will DEVELOP themselves, others, and their system all in sync to eventually get more from the island than they did when they first arrived. The remains of the wreckage will be DEVELOPED into useful tools and the team will be DEVELOPED into people with a resourceful and hopeful mindset.
Which of these two is the leader? I hope the answer is clear; The one who took time to DEVELOP the people and things they had access to.
What do leaders develop?
Vision
To develop a vision is to expand it, elaborate on it, and make it more accessible and believable for others. Leaders have a vision not only of what the future can be, but also of how the present fits into that future reality. They see that vision, and no matter how bleak the odds they press forward so that with every passing step the future becomes just a little more attainable.
GOALS
Developing goals means to 1) create them and 2) massage them to find a constant balance between “attainable” and “aspirational”. Leaders know that goals are the footsteps along the path that leads to their envisioned future. If they never create goals, they are choosing to sit still instead of walk the path. But balancing those steps is critical. If every step is a baby step, they’ll find themselves always walking but never progressing. On the other hand, if every step is a leap, they’ll die of exhaustion before the race is won. Leaders are constantly developing their goals to better fit ever changing circumstances and keep steady progress towards the vision.
SELF
Leaders recognize that in order to accomplish their vision and goals they will need to become a different person than they are today. Their vision likely includes a more mature, knowledgeable, and skilled version of themselves. Leaders recognize that in order to be a part of that future world, they must change. This pushes them to develop themselves in several ways whether it is their behaviors, mindsets, social skills, belief systems, emotional resilience, or talents. They see a pressing need to be constantly growing to meet the challenge of their future vision.
OTHERS
Others too. Leaders recognize that others have limitless potential and can benefit in so many ways from their own development. Leaders want others to enjoy the fruits of their vision of the future, and recognize that to partake they will need to choose to be part of the process of attaining it. They can see what attribute and characteristics fit well in that future state. They can see what strength people bring to the table and can help them share those with the group to develop one another. They understand that as people grow and change over time, especially with deliberate and intentional effort, they enjoy greater value from their effort, and joy in their life.
SYSTEM
Leaders also develop their system to facilitate the accomplishment of their vision and goals. They see each material, process, equipment, or tool as a vital contributor to the success of the team. They consider how the environment and the information available impact the team. They see each element not only for it’s present value but for it’s potential to be iterated and innovated into something even stronger. They look for opportunities to improve the system, knowing they are literally building the vehicle which they can pilot down the path to their future vision. They can walk the whole way or build a rocket, their choice, but each will yield different outcomes and experiences along the way.
Take action! Develop!
As you begin or continue your leadership journey, remember the impact of development. Developing a vision yields direction. Developing goals yields momentum. Developing yourself and others yields increased ability and a greater return on contributions made. Developing the system yields velocity.
Develop! Develop your vision, your goals, your self, your team, and your system. In relentless pursuit of the future… develop.
Good luck out there!
Rob
