Falling Off the Leadership Wagon

Well, I’m not really falling off the wagon I don’t think.  I am, however, noticing that some of the truths I subscribe to are challenging my thought processes of late.  Which sends me to my thinking and deliberating space.  In those moments, what I’m learning is that as a leader, I must be far more conscious about how long I’m hanging out in my thinking space.  I can get so wrapped up in thinking about things, wondering, being curious, that my deliberate energy doesn’t translate into any action.  When I don’t make the leap from thought to action, it looks as though I’m following rather than leading.  Actually, it doesn’t even look like that; it looks like I’m just bopping along without any purpose whatsoever.  I’m derailed, in a way.

Being deliberate absolutely means that I’ve given some thought to things.  The question is, how much time do I spend in that thinking-space before I take whatever corresponding action is required of me?  If I hang out in that “deliberation” space for too long, that actually keeps me off the leadership wagon, you know?  Andrew Jackson has said the following:  “Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.”  This, when it comes right down to it, may be one of the biggest leadership challenges:  knowing when to stop thinking and start doing.

When all is said and done good leaders definitely give some thought to things, they deliberate about the actions they will take.  Great leaders, however, stop deliberating sooner rather than later, knowing that the time for action requires you to channel your deliberate thoughts into deliberate action for effective leadership results.

Bottom-line:  To stay on the leadership wagon, stop thinking about things; go do them.

What deliberate action will you take today?  How deliberate are you on a daily basis?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Post your comments here and let’s get a dialogue going about deliberate action!  For additional resources and the opportunity to sign up for the weekly ezine, LAUNCH, visit www.stellarcc.com.