It’s Time to Lead!

There is no denying that we are living in unsettled and uncertain times. I suspect that

this is affecting nearly everyone in the country at some level. It matters not what your

politics, economic status, education, or other defining qualities are. We are all vulnerable to the effects of chaos and uncertainty.

This is where you, as a leader, come in. You will be tempted to react to these outside

forces, to do something to fix or mitigate the situation. After all, isn’t this our job to

produce solutions? Actually, no. Our real job as leaders is to set a sharp vision for our organization and to ask the right questions. When we prescribe solutions, we are often serving our own need to help and rescue. When we stay focused on the bigger picture of where we want the organization to go and communicate that clearly and frequently, we are able to articulate what questions need to be answered and which problems need to be fixed. In doing this, we empower our teams and engage many other minds in the problem-solving journey.

In order to do this, you must first be aware of you and what it is that drives you, motivates your life decisions and fuels your passions. At the core of this is knowing your values. Values are those few core principles that motivate you to act, to take risks, to commit fully to a course of action. Our values are formulated from the time we are children from our parents’ influences, through our young adulthood and influenced by teachers, coaches, and influential peers. In Tasha Eurich’s best selling book, Insight, she explores this concept in detail in the first few chapters. It is an excellent read and valuable for any functional adult.

When we understand and frequently review our values, we have the chance to practice value-based leadership. When we do this, we are more able to understand what “True North” is for us. I feel that in leadership, it is much more important to understand how to read your compass than to have a map. Maps are reassuring but when times like these occur, the path we have chosen is sometimes no longer available to us and we need to choose a new path or even navigate overland.

The other advantage of leading with your values is that you are much more likely to lead with authenticity. People see this and find confidence in you as a leader and as a person, even when your decisions are sometimes wrong.

We you lead, it is inevitable that you will stumble. If you are leading authentically, from the foundations of what you believe and from your values, your team will likely lend you a hand to rise when you fall. If you are not seen as authentic, or if your True North is not known to the team, you may find that your team will walk right past while you struggle to get up.

So, now is the time for leaders. Take some time to find your True North and start to communicate your values and passions to your team. Rise above the waves of chaos and adjust your course to take our organization through the storm. Involve your whole crew in this journey and they will throw their whole weight behind the effort.

Be well,

Stu Freed, MD

Contact Stu for:

One-on-One Coaching

•helping those who may feel “stuck.”

•to explore potential options to map out a viable route forward.

Team Facilitation

•building team trust to allow your team to engage in constructive conflict and reach a higher level of commitment.  

•to explore tools to get your team back on track when things go wrong.