Leaders Need a Following

All leaders need a following; for without a following, there’s no one to lead. So, who are you leading?

Often times we mistake management for leadership, but hierarchical association is independent of the leader-follower dynamic. People who believe and trust in your vision and direction; those whose spirit you excite - they are your following.

Once you’ve earned the privilege to lead others, what shall you do with that distinction? Leadership is tightly coupled with trust, thus, one must earn and maintain the trust of their following. How are you consciously and continuously exciting the spirit of others? How is your way of thinking and living subconsciously earning or deteriorating the trust others have in your leadership?

Embracing a love ethic means that we utilize all the dimensions of love - care, commitment, trust responsibility, respect, and knowledge - in our everyday lives. So, ask yourself, are you truly leading with love?

What are ‘leader letters’?

Simply put, letters for leaders who want to lead with love. The idea sprouted from letters I used to write my team leaders. When they told me how impactful they were to them, I was honestly floored. Writing them was therapeutic for me - I typically wrote them when I, too, was dealing with the challenges of leadership. I had amassed a long list of topics that would pop in my head amidst a meeting, reading, writing, etc. I would pick from that list and expound on said topics - it allowed me to speak to them in a manner that was kind of vulnerable - they were my inner thoughts, my philosophical opinions, and more. After some time, I stopped writing the letters and that’s when they told me how they would re-read the letters in challenging times. Wow - I thought. So, I figured I’d release certain topics in short form to Beyoncé’s internet. I sat on this for quite some time, but during a recent 14 hour flight, I took out my iPad, and here we are.

I ask that you prepare your brain and heart - I’m going to push you to inspect your thinking patterns. If that’s not your thing, perhaps this isn’t the space and place for you. If this is your jam, welcome!