What do you stand for?

“Take a stand; go for the right choice. Don't just sit for anything; stand for something. Be specific because sometimes, when the meaning is not clear, there is absolutely no meaning!”
― Israelmore Ayivor

Leaders it is time to stand. But where are our leaders? YOU are OUR leaders!

“A leader is someone who can see how things can be improved and who rallies people to move toward that better vision.” ~ Jacob Morgan, Chief Learning Officier®.com

This definition should apply to everyone who reads this blog (you are most likely on our list because we know you). And when we say “we know you” – that means more than just we are acquainted with you – it means that we have seen YOU and your potential. We know you are capable of this.

YOU are our clients, our colleagues, our fellow board members, our friends, and our family members. We are calling you to live into your leadership! To lead with purpose.

“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” (Hopi elders)

Quickly take stock of who you are and what you stand for. What is your Point of View right now with the Pandemic and the call for Social Justice? We know many of you have strong values – can you articulate them? They are “running you,” whether you know it or not. We urge you to understand where those values came from. We also ask you to open yourself up to other points of view, especially right now.

When we have a solid foundation of who we are – our values and unique talents – we have the most impact on others at work, with family, and in our community.

Your leadership voice is not just your tone or style of speaking, it is a reflection of your values and talents that you use to make an impact in the world. If you are not clear where you are called to serve during these times, look to your values, strengths, and vision. What is the leadership voice you use for transformation?

Understanding your values ultimately helps you better articulate what you stand for and what your vision and purpose are.

What do you stand for? Why? (If you are not completely clear, give it a shot!)
What do you believe in? Why?
What are you discontent about? Why?
What brings you suffering? Why?
What makes you weep and wail? Why?
What makes you jump for joy? Why?
What are you passionate about?
What keeps you awake at night?
Just what is it that you really care about? Why?
What’s grabbed hold and won’t let go? Why?

Source: Leadership Challenge – Kouzes and Posner

The next step in knowing what your leadership purpose is and where you are called to serve is to know your strengths and unique talents. What do you do differently than anyone else? What comes easy to you and maybe not others? What do others acknowledge you for?

What are your passions and interests? What activities cause you to forget time? What lights your fire? Take your values, unique talents, passions and interest to find your “sweet spot”. What is the overlapping theme?

“If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.” —Alexander Hamilton

These activities give you your answer to the BIG questions: What do you stand for? What is your calling, right now? What is the stake you want to place in the ground?

A few more questions to help:

What do you yearn for more than anything in this world?
What movement are you driven to lead?
Where do you feel most needed?

This “stand for” criteria is: It makes you take a BIG Gulp! You may not know how to do it. It is meaningful to you and your world. It engages you to lead others. It is something you cannot do alone.

What are you committed to? What is your promise? We want to support you! We want to support YOUR leadership. NOW is the time!

We know that Service to Others is a huge source of Meaning, Purpose, and Happiness as are LOVE and Connection.

OUR CALLS to ACTION:

Quickly figure out what you stand for and where you can serve right now!
Educate yourself on Racism and the Politics of Marginalization
- We are reading: White Fragility by Robin Diangelo and How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi.
Lean In vs. Leaning Out
- Have a difficult conversation with some who has a different point of view from you – Really listen – seek to understand.
- Discuss whether your organization is truly representative of ALL the talent out there. If not, what is one action you can take now?
- Be vulnerable – be willing to make mistakes while you are learning new perspectives.
- Stay open vs closing up with either/or thinking
  - e. “If we give an inch, they will take a mile”
  - e. “Socialist” or “Right Wing Extremist”