the leadership moment

Several times over the past week, I have had the opportunity to look around and realize that things are better than they were a year ago and that, just maybe, I had a hand in helping them become that way.  People who build and work with their hands have the chance to see that on a regular basis - they start with "materials" and, after they enact their craft, something is there that can be seen, used and admired.  That feeling of completion and satisfaction is harder in the craft of leadership because leaders work more with ideas and people, with the hope that, sometime in the future, things will be better.

As I looked around and realized that certain things were better, I was able to take a moment and realize that I had a small part in making them that way.  It was, in my words, a leadership moment.  That moment consisted of satisfaction, pride, and gratitude.  The moment also consisted of a smile and a few tears.  While leaders are prone to give the thanks and praise to others, sometimes they should stop and give those same kudos to themselves (all be it in a quiet and private manner).  To have a leadership moment is (and should be) a rare thing...and something that makes every one in a leadership role full of joy.

Now here is the paradox.  While the leadership moment consists of being joyful over what has occurred up to that point, it is also a time and place to consider what might be next.  For some, the leadership moment is the start of something new; for some, the leadership moment consists of realizing that there will be more effort to sustain what has become reality; and for others, the leadership moment is a realization that the next step or project might be beyond their own capability.  In other words, the leadership moment will consist of fear and wonder; the leadership moment will consist of worry and hope; the leadership moment can (and should) produce just a bit of panic.

Look around for the leadership moments in your life, whether you lead an organization, a club, a classroom, or a family.  Leadership moments are there, and one should take the time to rejoice in them...and then to realize that the leader's role is beginning to shift and become even harder.  In other words, embrace the paradox of the leadership moment.