leadership is an inside job

The thing I love most about working in the realm of leadership, is that at it's best, its an inside job first. 

And the leaders with the most power, influence and impact are role models. They will ask nothing of others, that they have not done themselves.  And because of that they have conviction, compassion, and the right words of encouragement when needed. 

But we all have blindspots, and just like money can be "left on the table", so too can leadership impact. More often than you can imagine. 

For example: 

Leaders who want to be trusted by their team, but fail to confide in or lean on others. 

Leaders who want to amplify the successes of their team members, but fail to notice when they themselves have been impactful. 

Leaders who want their team to feel safe to take bigger risks, when they themselves have been standing fearfully on the edge of a courageous move for months. 

Leadership at its finest is when our own fires are lit and burning bright, such that those around us don't even need our words (although sometimes those are deeply necessary), they can simply be activated and directed by what they see us do. 

Blindspot-hunting is part of the sport of leadership coaching and I have yet to see a time where uncovering them not only unlocks immediate impact and benefit for the leader themselves, but also for the team that is walking alongside them. 

This is exponential benefit, if you ask me.