Let's take the suck out of the leadership vacuum
I see it in my feed every day. I hear it on nearly every DesuckifyWork™ podcast episode. People are struggling. Work is a mess. Companies are lost, treading water, playing scared. And yes, there is a dearth of leadership, vocal leadership, at a time when it’s needed most. Why aren’t more leaders providing a vision for what’s possible? Sharing their hopes, fears and questions about the state we’re in.
Josh Weiss, guest in episode 12 of the podcast, shared this sentiment in a post yesterday on LinkedIn, particularly as it relates to the ad industry. Where is everyone as we see talented, hard working people barely hanging on as agency after agency tells them their services are no longer needed?
Where are the leaders?
My guess is that many are just plain scared. Or confused. Or planning their exit, perhaps. Some are afraid to be transparent because it may make them look bad, or stupid, even.
We could use a little bad and stupid right about now. A little egg on the face. Be vulnerable. Be open to criticism. Be clear that you may not know the way forward but you’re working your tuchus off to figure it out. You’re willing to try new things. Open to ideas from anyone. Even that guy from accounting who leaves his dirty coffee mug in the sink all the time.
Being a leader is a hard job. Harder than almost anyone thinks going in. But it’s a vital job, even in the best of times. Today, in 2024, in the wake of a pandemic, we’re facing mass layoffs, major wars around the world, rapid technological change and a lack of trust in nearly every corner of society.
It is not the best of times.
We need leaders, great leaders, now more than ever. But who truly wants the job? Not for the small pay bump, not to get your name on the door or a few extra letters on your business card. Who genuinely gets excited about the prospect of pulling us up out of this mess? Whose heads are bursting with ideas, just waiting for a chance to share them with the world? Who wakes up at 3am, not terrified for the future, but too excited about what’s possible to put their head back on the pillow?
I’ve met people like this. I’ve coached a few. And I know there are countless more. If you’re one of them, don’t let the constant drumbeat of negativity convince you to sit this one out. Don’t let your disappointment in those who came before you shrink your vision of what you’re capable of. Don’t assume that someone else is ready to step up if you step back. Better to assume there are a hundred people ready to follow your lead, once you make the leap.
If you are drawn to this, do this. If you’re not sure how to make that leap, I can help. And I can point you to a bunch of other folks ready to help as well, if you’d prefer someone with less cat pics on their site.
Leaders can be dog people too, I suppose.
#leadership #stepup #leap #desuckifywork #desuckifyworkpodcast #coaching