When Hernando Cortez and his crew of 600 landed in Mexico in 1519, he ordered his men to burn the ships. This radical decision closed all avenues for return to the life they knew before. There was no going back, no returning to the old way of life, no thoughts of losing. There was only the pressing need to move forward, to progress, to be victorious. Cortez was totally committed and allowed himself and those he led no option of turning back.
As we pursue our decision to lead, we must be totally committed to move forward, to progress as leaders. There is no going back to what worked before. There is only movement forward. But before we get wrapped up in the greatness of leading, we need to step back and understand the foundations of leadership.
As I was thinking about these foundations, I asked my eight year old what he thought was the most important thing about leadership. He paused and looked up at the ceiling as if contemplating the greatest question ever asked. Then he said, simply yet profoundly, “The way a leader leads is the most important thing.” The way a leader leads…
How am I leading… in a manner that inspires excellence? In a manner that draws people to personal growth? Am I living out my calling in a manner compels others to come along with me?
