Everyone wants to be The Leader, until...

The pull to lead is seductive. Inherent in its seduction comes teases of power, authority, visibility, and other intangible rewards that coerce so many people into thinking that leading is exhilarating.

Then you weigh the truths of leadership. The truths that you don’t realize until you lead. 

The Leader carries the weight of the most polarizing decisions.

The Leader lies awake at night, wondering how to balance the demands.

The Leader is pestered for quick answers to complex problems.

The Leader is subject to public ridicule, irrational expectations, and blame.

The Leader must value relationships, while not letting those relationships persuade or coerce.

The Leader is tied to a vision that others can’t see or refuse to appreciate.

The Leader is alone with all these things. 

Because unless you are The Leader, you just don’t understand.

No one knows the truth of leadership, until they truly lead. 

The truth is, Leadership is lonely.

To alleviate that loneliness, you are told to grow a thicker skin, to disregard others’ opinions, and to compromise your goals. All three of those pursuits will land you greater stress, more problems, and feeling even lonelier. 

What you need is an intentional plan to deepen your autonomy. Derived from two words, auto meaning “self,” and nomy meaning “customs.” Autonomy is our self-customs. The disciplines you follow, rooted in your values and your vision, that keep you moving forward.

Your self-customs guide your leadership.  When deeply nurtured, your self-customs will care for you in the loneliness of leadership. They will give you direction, instill confidence in your decisions, and create stability for you, that you can pass on to your team.

I encourage you to read more about the paradox of autonomy in my book, Profound Space: 3 Illusions Keeping Your From The Life you Want & The Leadership You Are Capable Of.

I will continue to write more about autonomy in the coming months. 

Autonomy is the chief human paradox, and the crux of all Profound Leadership. It will help you achieve and maintain your high level of leadership.

Go. Be. Profound.

G