leadership is a precious thing

In a Board meeting I was attending yesterday afternoon, the chair of our board noted that "leadership is a precious thing," said in reference to our newest Executive Director and the great work that he has done in a very short time.  The phrase struck me as very important for boards, for organizations, and for leaders themselves.  Having watched many groups struggle under weak leadership and others thrive under strong leadership, I had to agree with my board chair that, indeed, leadership is a precious thing.

So if leadership is a precious thing, how might both leaders and organizations think about it in that way?  Here are a few thoughts for  this morning:

• If leadership is precious, it must be treated with care: precious items are often those that no one wants to have lost or broken, so special attention is placed upon them.  Leaders need to take care of themselves so that they are available to their organizations and organizations need to take care of their leaders so that they remain in place over time and lead well
• If leadership is precious, it should have value: precious items carry a certain value, whether monetary or sentimental.  Leaders need to be adding value to their organization and organizations need to let their leaders know what value they actually do add to the organization
• If leadership is precious and valuable, that value should increase over time: just as precious items often increase in value, one's leadership value should also be increasing through added knowledge and experience.  Organizations need to invest in their leader's growth and remunerate them properly for that growth
• If leadership is precious, it should be regularly on display: precious items are often on display for others (friends or the public at large) to see and enjoy them.  Leaders should be out and about, interacting with those they lead and organization members should seek engagement with their leaders and derive value from those interactions
• If leadership is precious, it should be evaluated from time to time: just as precious items are often taken to an appraiser for valuation, so leaders must also be evaluated by an outside observer through the use of a coach or consultant.  Organizations should insist that regular evaluation is done of the leadership and that those results are shared in a meaningful manner
• If leadership is precious, it should be passed on to the next generation: precious items are accounted for over time through one's estate planning.  Leaders need to put in place a succession plan so that good leadership can continue over time and organizations should develop a culture of caring for their leadership so that new leaders can quickly assimilate and begin to function in their roles

As leaders treat themselves (and their responsibilities) with a sense of care and concern - and as organizations develop a culture where leadership is handled carefully and treated with honor - the idea that "leadership is a precious thing" will allow for individuals and organizations to grow, flourish, and become all for which they were created.