Leadership Leather!
I was going to post about my unsuccessful attempts to break in some new and ‘to die for’ shoes which are just a bit too small and cramp my toes. I was going to use that as a metaphor for leaders who are themselves just a bit too small and, however much you try to stretch them, their ‘leather’ just won’t give.
Then it struck me like lightning that maybe the topic was about something I should be asking myself…
“Where am I cramped? Where is my leadership leather resisting a stretch?”
Looks like I stumbled on rich questions. They’re marinading as I type and I’ll get back to you when they’re well and truly cooked. In the meantime…
How about you???
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Sharon love this metaphor! I’m a shoe kind of girl but have found that any leather that requires “breaking in” – normally isn’t right.
Best to keep experimenting and testing until the right pair comes along. For me the message is don’t jump to a final decision too soon maybe? Happy to be shot down!
Thanks, Dorothy… and excellent alternative take on the topic. There’s always more than one perspective!
Sharon
Somwhere over the past week, a quotation by Mark Twain surfaced. “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great.”
I find that I also can belittle my own ambitions as well as encounter ’small people’.
Now, shoes. Somewhere along the road and after too many blisters, red sore toes and other unspeakable things, I decided I would only buy shoes that fit and were great.
So, in my work I can chose to work with people who ‘fit’ and are great. Great!
Mmm… thanks, Lise. And reminds me we can only do great work when there is a ‘fit’ between us.