I recently ran a Leadership day with a group of young leaders (these days almost everyone is young from my perspective!) and I was particularly inspired by one delegates’ story.
I asked them to tell me about a Leader they admired and why. As I eavesdropped between flipchart groups I was lucky enough to hear this person’s story.
A Family Leader
The delegate’s ‘Leader’ was his Dad. His father had worked his way up from very disadvantaged beginnings in Communist China, to graduating as an engineer, being supported by the Chinese Government to travel to England to do his PhD where he then settled and built a foundation for his family – including his son. Apart from the familiar qualities we hear when talking about Leadership – resilience, determination etc, the one that emerged so strongly was that of building a legacy. Creating something that goes beyond the Leader’s tenure and gives value to those that follow.
Leadership and Parenthood
He told this short simple story with such emotional truth it was a fantastic illustration of the power of storytelling and authenticity in Leadership. It’s not new to align Leadership with Parenthood, however this delegate’s story so powerfully captured the essence of that comparison, it left me hoping that one day either or both my own daughters will be standing by a flipchart talking about me in the same way.
Does this inspire you? In what way
David Solomon
Managing Director, Sun and Moon Training
@SunMoonDavid
Photo copyright: David Solomon