For many CEO’s, our natural tendency is to feel that we need to be able to take care of everything within our organization. When I think of this, the image of Superman comes to mind. The question is, are we doing a service or disservice by trying to be our organizational Superman?
In her book, Daring Greatly, Brene Brown provides a compelling case that daring to be vulnerable shows true courage. Courage, in my view, is a trait that far too many leaders do not show enough of, due to their concern with the consequences of taking action. Certainly most people would never equate being vulnerable with the man in the red cape! (I would argue that he actually shows a lot of vulnerability).
Ms. Brown writes:
"Vulnerability is not knowing victory or defeat; it’s understanding the necessity of both. It’s engaging. It’s being all in."
Is it not part of our job description as leaders that we must be all in? Showing courage in making decisions that we feel support our values and mission ensures that every employee has a clear picture of our organization’s vision. This should be the No. 1 priority for leaders.
Ms. Brown highlights the following passage from a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt, “The Man in the Arena”:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…"
I would content that as leaders we must be willing to be in the “arena” everyday we come to work.
Bob Waller is President & CEO of Association Headquarters.
