I deeply appreciate language. It’s a beautiful tool that few animals have, and humans are the only species that utilizes symbols (i.e., hieroglyphics, letters, and emoticons) to string together complex ideas. We use these symbols to share concepts, information, and stories. Most of all, we use language to make meaning.
Words both reflect and influence the thoughts, beliefs, and energies we hold. Naturally, I’ve been getting curious about words like “leader,” and how the word and its connotations shape our modern understanding of these important roles in our organizations, communities, and shared planet.
The word “leader” has been in use since the 1300s. Before that, people who held the station of leadership were called many other titles more specific to the function or culture in which they operated. Greek military leaders were called “anax,” while tribal leaders all over the world had some variation of “chief” attached to their names. As societies grew and covered larger geographies, words like king and lord were used to describe the primary leader.
I suspect that we have lost something in the ascension of “leader” as a catchall term for many different roles. When I hear “everyone is a leader” or “leadership is everyone’s responsibility,” I confess that I have a certain reaction. I understand the empowering intentions of such statements, but I worry that we might “leader-wash” too much and thus take away the power and sanctity that the mantle of leadership holds.
Don’t misunderstand me: I am not promoting strict hierarchy, nor am I claiming that those without formal leadership positions are not leaders. Leadership, in its most general sense, is a mindset. It cannot be confined to the narrow binds of official roles and titles. This is why leaders emerge whenever and wherever people come together, whether on the playground or a POW camp–the spirit of leadership, which lives in all of us, compels us to lead, with or without a title.
But the spirit moves more deeply in some, and calls them to formal positions of leadership: manager of a branch, captain of a ship, president of a country or company. With these titles comes the burden of responsibility. They have accepted power over others and promised to wield it well. The higher salary, the name on the masthead, and, most importantly, the vast human potential in their hands remind them constantly (or should, anyway) that they are accountable to those they lead. This is what I mean by sanctity. Those who are anointed, elected, or otherwise chosen–those with the title–must move with reverence and humility as they embody the crystallized spirit of leadership.
Other than parenting (which is perhaps just another name for a very specific leadership relationship), is there any more important job than that of a leader? As leaders, we are bestowed with the power to bring people together in service of shared goals. We coach, mentor, direct, and delegate. This is our privilege and our responsibility.
At Emergent, we work with leaders at all levels and from many types of organizations. One thing holds true for them all: they influence people to take purposeful action. If you have taken on the mantle, we can help you lead with gravity and grace. Send me an email at [email protected] to get started.
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