Why Meaningful Leadership?

Disclosure: Because I am committed to honoring the FTC affiliate disclosure rules, there may be some affiliate links below and I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you so much for supporting this newsletter. Now, on to the good stuff.

There are many different theories and frameworks surrounding the idea of leadership. Scholars and laymen alike have searched for a comprehensive way to define leadership with little consensus. Leadership as a concept is too broad to be easily summarized. Context really matters in determining what leadership actually looks like and how someone should go about leading others.

When I got my MBA from Southeastern University, I took several leadership classes that covered many different theories. “Great Man” theory, Situational Leadership Theory, Contingency Theory, Behavioral Theory, and on, and on, and on. The one thing they have in common (like all models) is that they are all wrong.

AND, they are useful (some more so than others).

Two theories on leadership that I resonated with most were Robert Greenleaf’s Servant Leadership Theory and the Transformational Leadership Theory from James MacGregor Burns and Bernard M. Bass. In short, servant leadership suggests that a leader’s role is to serve those in their charge, not the other way around. Transformational leadership focuses on the growth and progress of the team in pursuit of organizational goals and outcomes.

These two frameworks are similar in many ways, but have a key underlying difference: the focus of the leader (Stone, Russell, & Patterson). Servant leaders are more focused on the followers, while transformational leaders are more focused on the achievement of organizational outcomes.

I think of meaningful leadership as an aggregate of these two leadership paradigms. I believe it’s not only possible, but essential, to serve those that you lead and help them grow towards what they are capable of, and ensure that desired organizational outcomes are being met. There is room for all of it. Both/and, not either/or.

So, with all of that said, let’s look at five key components of meaningful leadership. Notice I didn’t say “look at THE five components...” As I mentioned last week, this is just the beginning of the idea. To quote Anne Lamott, this is my “sh*tty first draft” that will undoubtedly evolve over time…

A Purposeful Vision

In my experience, there is a deep connection between meaning and purpose. Why I do what I do gives meaning to the action. Without purpose, then my life is just a collection of random actions. A purposeful vision means that I am going after something on purpose, for a purpose. In order to lead meaningfully, you as a leader need to be going after something that’s meaningful.

Vision also speaks to what could be as opposed to what is. Leadership in and of itself implies a forward motion. A pursuit of a new frontier. The wide open “I wonder if we can do that” space. If you aren’t headed somewhere specific, with intention, then you’re probably not leading meaningfully (yet).

Bridges, Not Landmines

Good leaders build roads. They can connect two people who are on level ground with one another. Great leaders build bridges. They can connect anyone by providing a way across what divides them. Bad leaders lay landmines. They break connections between people; sometimes intentionally, but often unintentionally.

Any meaningful relationship between two people is built on a foundation of trust. Those engaged in the pursuit of meaningful leadership are trust builders.

Outward Focus, Inward Commitment

A meaningful leaders’ primary focus is outward. On others. On those that they lead. On the goals they are pursuing. On the world around them. Their eyes are up, their heads lifted high, their attention given intently.

Meanwhile, they are also inwardly committed. Committed to their word. Committed to an honorable intent. Committed to owning their own crap. Its a beautiful, treacherous dance.

Results and People (but not in that order)

When you are an individual contributor or solopreneur, results are everything. It’s why you’re getting paid. It’s why you’re in business. But if you are a leader of other human beings? Results still matter, of course, but not at the expense of people.

Meaningful leaders learn how to succeed together, because of their people, not in spite of them.

Demonstrated Impact

I want you to think for a moment about the best leader you’ve ever known. What made them the best? My guess is that at the core, they impacted you in some significant and meaningful way.

That’s what the best leaders do. They create meaningful moments in the lives of their teams by impacting them in a powerful way. The greater the impact, the more meaningful the interaction.

The road ahead…

If you’ve made it this far, well kudos to you. This post was quite long. I’m sort of sorry, but clearly not sorry enough to have shortened it any. Future posts likely won’t be as long. But they might be.

I am excited to continue unpacking these ideas, diving deeper into the various components, and exploring together as we all get 1% better this week as leaders. More exciting things to come.

Until next time, lead meaningfully friends.

Trevor

PS - If you found this valuable in any way, I have two requests. One, would you reply and let me know? I’d love to hear from you. Second, would you consider forwarding this to a friend or colleague who might also be eager to grow as a leader? I would be honored to be trusted with your people and promise to serve them as powerfully as I intend on serving you.

PPS - I would love to get to know you. Click this link to add in a little bit of information to help me better tailor your reading experience to you.

References

Stone, A. G., Russell, R. F., & Patterson, K. (2004). Transformational versus servant leadership: A difference in leader focus. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 25(3), 349-361. Retrieved from https://seu.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/transformational-versus-servent-leadership/docview/226919360/se-2

If you’re ready to dig in some more, here are a few ways you can grow meaningfully as a leader:

1. Have you ever considered hiring a coach? Click here to schedule a no-cost, 15-minute discovery call with me where we’ll explore how coaching might just be the greatest next step for your growth.

2. Check out the latest episode of the Beyond High Performance podcast from my fellow coaches at Novus Global.

3. Want to learn what motivates you? Check out our free 5i Assessment to find out!