What is the essence of true leadership?
Imagine a dark room where everyone is holding an unlit candle. Each candle represents someone who needs direction, motivation, or inspiration. You walk into this room with a box of matches, setting fire to all the candles. Some are tough to light, maybe too much wax has pooled around the wick, or the wick isn’t long enough. Some light easily and burn well. Others light at first, but then get snuffed out. You continue to re-light these candles as needed. You are dedicated to making sure that everyone’s candle stays lit.
Now, imagine a slightly different scenario. Imagine that same room, with everyone still holding an unlit candle. You walk in, and as you do, your presence emits a light that seems to ignite everyone’s candles spontaneously. This light radiates from you, illuminating the entire space as well as all the candles in the room. You do not need to go around lighting each candle individually. Your glow naturally lights those candles.
Management and Leadership
In these two scenarios, we witness the essence of management and leadership. In the first scenario, we see a manager who is focused on the act of lighting individual candles. Management is important. It helps ensure that people do well and that things get done.
But leadership comes from an entirely different angle. The leader focuses on developing their own internal glow so that they can naturally ignite others.
The Essence of True Leadership
At its core, leadership isn’t about what we do. It’s about who we are.
When we invest in our own growth, when we develop our own character, we create an inner glow that not only brightens our own path but also illuminates the path for others. We then lead by our presence and by our example.
As Edith Wharton once eloquently said, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
Leaders are called to be both the candle AND the mirror. This requires a healthy mind, body, and spirit, all working in synchronicity as we care for ourselves and serve others. The world is hungry for such leaders!
This is leading with light. And this is the essence of true leadership.