Leadership – The Art of Shaping
I don’t view leadership as a role, a right that comes with a title, or something you press down upon others.
For me, leadership has always felt more personal than that. It is both an accountability and a gift—an accountability to help, serve, support, and shape the environment and experience for the people in our lives. I don’t mean shaping someone by imposing my will on them or trying to make them into the person I think they should be. I mean helping someone shape the version of themselves they want to become—walking alongside them as they grow and move forward on their journey.
I also believe that, as leaders, we help shape the environment and space around us—creating a place that feels inviting and safe, where collaboration is encouraged and people can bring the best of their skills, experiences, and ideas.
Shaping is about helping people discover more of who they are and who they want to become. And when someone trusts you enough to invite you to walk side by side with them for part of their journey, I think that is something to cherish and honor.
My leadership skills have grown and evolved throughout my life. I have had moments where I failed miserably at leadership. I’ve certainly had moments where I did not handle a situation or event well. And, humbly, I’ve had a few moments of incredible achievement. Those were moments when I was able to help orchestrate a collaborative experience that brought out the best in the people around me. These experiences—the good and the bad—helped shape the leader I became and the leader I continue to evolve into.
The leadership moments I am proudest of were never mine alone—they were moments when a group of people came together around a common purpose and a common goal. In fact, what made those moments remarkable and memorable was what other people brought to them. It’s incredible to see the melding of the unique strengths, experiences, skills, and ideas within a group—and then to see that group create something better than any one of us could have ever come close to creating alone.
My role wasn’t to create or own that excellence. I aspired to help create an environment and space where people could bring their best, listen to one another, challenge one another, build on each other’s thinking, and soar together.
I believe one of the most meaningful things a leader can do is help shape an environment where that can happen—where people feel safe enough to share an idea, valued enough to know their contribution matters, and supported enough to stretch beyond what they thought was possible.
The failures matter too. Some of my most important leadership lessons came from moments that did not go well. Those moments can be disappointing, humbling, and sometimes painful—but they can also be a gift if we are willing to look honestly at ourselves and learn. We don’t celebrate failure because failing feels good. We honor what it can teach us and carry those lessons forward, just as we do the lessons from moments of excellence.
Maybe that is part of the art of leadership. We are never finished. We continue shaping ourselves as we help shape the environment and experience for others. We keep learning how to serve, support, challenge, encourage, and make room for people to grow more fully into who they want to be. To me, that is both the accountability and the gift of leadership.
Contemplation Questions
How is your leadership presence shaping the environment and experience of the people around you?
How are you lifting and supporting others—both through moments of disappointment and moments of excellence?
Are you creating space for people to bring their strengths, ideas, and experiences together in ways that allow them to soar?
…and as you lead others, how are you continuing to shape yourself?