Are you a fan of fireworks? The explosion, quick spark, loud percussions, or fast succession? I have to confess that I have never liked the noise. I'm like a dog that whimpers at the loud, booming sounds, but I love the brilliance and more importantly the symbolism of fireworks.
Fireworks signify a celebration particularly associated with the 4th of July, but we use them for other reasons too. Graduation, birthdays, anniversaries, or simply because they were on sale and they generate internal happiness as we watch them.
Also associated with fireworks is the celebration of freedom and independence. Google defines freedom as "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hinderance or restraint." They also define independence as "the fact or state of being independent [free from outside control]."
When freedom and choice is applied to leadership, it emphasizes the critical truth that everyone has the ability to make their own choices. Everyone is responsible for their own decisions. When you accept freedom and choice as you lead, you aren't controlled by the people you lead or the choices they make (GR8Leaders).
Independence, as it pertains to leadership skills, is best described by Dr. Lynda Reid on Forbes.com. She states, "Who you are as a leader and how you lead is defined by your relationship to others and begins with your relationship with yourself. Why you lead and how you lead relate directly to your inner motivators and cultural context (the values, beliefs and practices you were raised with). Those motivators impact the relationships you have with your team members and yourself."
Each of us is motivated by leanings toward independence (perceiving the world through the lens of “I”) and interdependence (perceiving the world through the lens of “we”).
Independence Strengths
The stronger your orientation toward independence, the more comfortable you are with the isolation of your role. Drawing boundaries between you and your direct reports comes naturally. Independence allows you to make decisions and respond to situations with timeliness and efficiency. When work is not done to your satisfaction, you step in and do it yourself. You are risk-averse, desiring to always be in control.
Interdependence Strengths
The greater your desire to build your team, foster relationships and empower individuals, the further your leadership leans toward interdependence. As an interdependent leader, you are comfortable committing the time needed for providing ongoing feedback that fosters individual learning and growth. You thrive on risk-taking and use failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
The Dance
Expanding your leadership potential requires you to learn to dance between the two ends of the independence-interdependence spectrum, from an “I” mindset to a “we” mindset. Allow yourself the flexibility to shift and foster your leadership potential.
So the next time you watch fireworks consider your options for leadership, either freedom or independence? You might just choose both since it allows us to be both self-reflective and explosive!
What She Said ~ Beverly
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