There are many definitions of Leadership floating around out there – in books, on the world wide web and in active minds.  It’s often easier to identify “what it isn’t” than to describe the essence of what it truly is.

We can generally agree that leadership calls for a vivid vision of a future state, one that can be shared with others.  Without that aspect, management may be involved but leadership will be missing from the picture.

A second key element of leadership is a certain ability to inspire others to work together toward a common goal or shared purpose, whether it’s a simple or lofty one.  

If there’s no teamwork, there is no leadership.

Beyond those couple of fundamental aspects of leadership, there are so many situational and operational nuances that it’s virtually impossible to script out and describe it in general terms.  There are, however, certain leadership pillars that support an interconnected framework of essential skills that will enhance effectiveness.  How those, too, are applied in real-world situations takes on infinite variations according to the circumstances at hand.

With this vast variability in mind, there’s another unique aspect of genuine leadership that differentiates the discipline from other professional pursuits.  Leadership is not hierarchal in practice; it’s not a command and control position.  It operates in a unique space within the local team or the broader organization, one which is positioned to provide context for what is happening above, below and around the team.

It’s the ability to contextualize actions and interactions in real-time and Reframe them for clarity within the team, then express them to others outside the immediate group, that sets leadership apart.  This capacity to understand, assimilate and adapt to complex and dynamic variables comprises the secret sauce of leadership.  Refreshed context, in turn, is translated into fresh actions that will Advance the cause.  These iterations are endless and unlimited in scope.

As with other aspects of leadership, the artfulness to reframe and advance must be practiced intentionally.  It is these which give leadership its shape and substance for the greater good.

Tempus Maximize!