I understand that in an ideal world you would have great leadership at all levels of the organization, but very few people work in ideal world organization.
I understand that in an ideal world great culture would be top down driven and supported from the foundational level up, but very few people work in an ideal world organization.
I understand that in an ideal world “people are our most valuable asset” would be part of the culture, not just something people in senior leadership positions say, but very few people work in an ideal world organization.
I understand that you are frustrated with a lack of leadership, and especially a lack of courageous leadership in your organization.
I understand that you are frustrated that the formal Core Values of your organization may not be the lived reality of people in your organization.
I understand that you are frustrated by the lack of support from some people in senior leadership positions in your organization.
I understand that you are frustrated that leadership is just a course and a buzzword in your organization and you may not have a culture of leading in your organization.
I understand that in your organization some people in formal leadership positions may mistakenly believe that their title, position or rank makes them a leader, instead of realizing that that position and title simply put them in a formal leadership position, it does not make them a leader.
I understand your frustrations. I hear them. I have lived and experienced them. The reality, however, is that you do not control anyone else in your organization. You do not control people in formal leadership positions and senior leadership positions in your organization. You control yourself, your attitude, your efforts, your actions, choices and decisions. You have influence with others in your organization, but you do not control them and cannot make them change, grow, learn, improve or lead.
As much as that reality sucks, once we accept that we can embrace the suck, embrace the struggle, look for the learning and Dare to be Great. Is that simple? Yes. Is that easy? No.
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way”
Victor E. Frankl
I get that you are frustrated, but you still get to choose your attitude and to choose your way. Choose to focus on what you control. Choose to control the controllable. Choose to be intentional and deliberate about building and sustaining great culture in your piece of the organization. Choose a heart of service. Choose to care about your people and let them know you care. Choose to love your people and love what you do. Choose to strive for excellence in everything you do. Choose to embrace the struggle and the suck. Choose to look for the learning and the good. Choose to Dare to Be Great. Choose leading over complaining. Choose to strive to be the leader that you wish you had.
If we all made those choices, we might find ourselves working in an ideal organization.