Leadership Is Slowing Down

Dear Leader,

I trust this meets you in pursuit of wisdom.

One of the most important shifts you must make to become a leader is moving your focus from yourself to others.

You can be a successful person on your own but you cannot be a successful leader on your own, your focus must change to others.

Zig Ziglar better puts it this way; You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.

In leadership, it is not about you and your agenda but about working to bring out the best in everyone around you.

Making that shift is not easy. Because you have to accept that you need to slow down from the rat race. Carrying people along slows your pace but leadership is about going and growing with people. This requires sacrifice and you don’t talk about leadership without sacrifice.

Good leaders don’t go to the top alone, they take their people with them and help others make the climb.

It is a difficult thing to shift your mindset from pushing yourself to carrying others along especially if you have a natural bias for action like me.

If it is easy, leaders will litter the streets.

I don’t write this letter because I have all the answers but there is a principle to always remember that would help you slow down and focus on others is:

People remember those who added value to them.

Time and time again, I see this happening. People always remind me how I added value to them many years ago. I may have forgotten but they don’t forget. My life is dedicated to adding value to people and so I do it not because I want to be appreciated but it is what makes life meaningful.

This week, Slow down, and add value to people. Focus on others. Make the climb with others.

I’m rooting for you,
The Great Owete