I’ve been reading a book lately on leadership. It’s an interesting book and the author makes some good points about leadership and what it means to lead. She is especially qualified to speak on the topic of leadership, her name is Carey D. Lohrenz and she’s the first female Navy pilot to fly an F-14 jet. Pretty impressive credentials.
“High performing teams require fearless leaders.” Carey D. Lohrenz
Let me ask, do you agree with that statement? I’ve been thinking about what it means to be a fearless leader, especially in light of my current position. And truth be told, I’ve been studying leadership for many years. This book triggers thoughts on what it means to be a good leader.
Some might look at that quote and ask, “What exactly does Ms. Lohrenz mean by the word ‘Fearless’?” There are certainly times a leader needs to be cautious or careful in the way in which they lead. She’s certainly not advocating for sloppy, careless or reckless leadership. That’s not the point she is trying to make here.
She’s speaking predominantly about the internal struggles and lack of confidence that prevents a person from becoming an effective leader. Later in the book she’s going to lay down the argument that fearless leadership requires courage. To win in the leadership game, you must operate from a place of internal courage and fortitude. Effective leaders vanquish the internal doubts, insecurities, and social/cultural obstacles that stand in the way of leadership.
I think for many leaders one fear to overcome is the fear of failure or embarrassment. This can be a paralyzing fear that stops you before you start. The fear of failure is an intimidating bully that must be defeated. A fearless leader has the courage to make decisions with strength and conviction. Bold leaders operate freely, unrestrained by the fear of failure.
Another type of fear I see often is the fear of change. A successful leader understands the fear of change and confronts it with inertia breaking energy and vision. Fearlessness here means applying the effort and energy necessary for a breakthrough- reaching for something better, something higher. This is the essence of what it means to be a catalytic leader.
A big take away from this book for me is on the nature of good leadership and leading without fear. A good leader confronts and defeats the fear of failure and the fear of change. As a leader, it is my task to take those I lead by the hand and lead them through these fears to the other side. Good stuff.
Have a great week!
Ernie