To exercise exceptional, life-giving leadership behavior, one should first and foremost, wholeheartedly pursue self-care and self-awareness . In light of this, it is necessary to continually confront and unmask personal self-deceptions and create margin for respite, reflection, and renewal. As self-deceptions are eradicated and renewal is prioritized, authenticity is cultivated, and as authenticity is cultivated, a person becomes increasingly transformed.
When a person is committed to personal transformation through self-care and self-awareness, those they influence are enabled to strive for the same, and there begins the foundation for the development of a healthy community. Once this foundation has been laid, a healthy and thriving community can only exist toward its fullest potential when personal transformation culminates in a natural propensity to serve others before serving self. Serving personal selfish desires first can lead to the oppression of others whether intentional or unintentional; and for those holding a position of authority, it can become an environment that is easy to propagate due to the ability to control and exert power. However, considering the needs of others before selfish desires actually provides sustained authority and greater opportunities to engage in healthy acts of leadership because authority and leadership are conferred upon rather than coerced. Once this is acknowledged and practiced, the members of the community not only see and benefit, but in-turn are encouraged and inspired to act the same toward one another.
In addition to pursuing self-care and self-awareness, developing and honoring one’s own “voice” is critical as well. I agree with Kouzes and Posner that finding true personal voice is absolutely essential to engaging in healthy acts of leadership. If one cannot find their true voice, they will end up with a vocabulary that belongs to someone else. In taking the path of the higher road, or Frost’s “road less traveled,” one creates their own authentic, unique perspective that allows them to enrich others through the succinct communication of the dreams and passions they recognize make up, motivate, and sustain the very core of their own being. Unfortunately, if one’s voice is contaminated by continually changing that voice for different audiences and situations, a person will be in danger of diminishing their influence and ability to properly utilize their gifts and talents to maximize their capabilities for the greatest good. Furthermore, the community’s ability and willingness to trust will suffer, and may even suffer irreparable harm culminating in a downward spiral of continuing dysfunction. However, if one embodies their true “voice” and speaks from the heart with integrity, courageous communication, and the continual edification of those they engage, effective leadership behavior driving the community toward collective transcendence can be set in motion.
Margaret Wheatley perceptively emphasizes that seeking balance in many cases leads to entropy, which leads to equilibrium, and then ultimately to death. If this is the case, movement is of paramount importance. However, a community in motion, like a raging river, is comprised of many components and influenced by many forces—strong currents, depths, shallows, rapids, debris, etc. Movement, if engorged by gluttony of negative realities, can unleash far-reaching destructive consequences. Great leadership behavior inspires and initiates the orchestration of the collective movement of the organization or community (away from negative realities and any embedded dysfunctional paradigms, actions, and environments) toward transcendence that is necessary to create healthy environments fostering co-creation, progress, and mutually beneficial transformation.
Leadership behavior is a concept wrapped in many ideals, responsibilities, and principles. One must constantly pursue: self-care, self-awareness, personal growth and transformation, an intimate knowledge of how they have been uniquely created, their authentic and specifically true voice, clear purpose, and the willingness to continually aid others in these pursuits. This is a lifestyle that one must embody day-by-day to truly effect change for the greatest possible good.