A good spot for some solitude
Firstly, let me apologise for not posting in the last few weeks. Put it down to a clever, circumnavigating cold that sailed its way around the map of my family during the month of May. It brought with it some nasty weather.
Anyway, I'm back on deck now and have plenty of ideas lined up and waiting to be written. In the meantime, I'd like to share this article with you from The American Scholar: http://www.theamericanscholar.org/solitude-and-leadership/
It's an address given to military students at West Point and it has some fantastic insights about what a true leader is and how they behave (and how they don't). I'd definitely encourage you to read it.
The address is in-line with much of my thinking on the topic of leadership, in that you must find yourself if you ever want to become an accomplished leader. Whether you achieved a PHD or a D in every subject you ever took, as a leader you'll be measured not on the knowledge you possess but on your certainty of self.
What do you think?
Very cunning Mark, using a song title and some lyrics from the Jurassic era to get me reading.
ReplyDeleteThe article - I found it very thought provoking and insightful and ...
Hey, is that Frankston pier in the photo?
Oops, as the man said I need to focentrate more (and stop making up new words as well).
Seriously, I thought it was a very good read, and I imagine a powerful verbal address which had many of the listeners carrying out some serious self examination.
From my own perspective, it struck a few chords, as most of my working years have been spent in bureaucratic environments (financial services) playing the conformist game, not rocking the boat, keeping the status quo and - let's face it - being fairly comfortable with all of that.
That might sound a bit boring to many people, but there were plenty of challenges along the way (plus regular promotions - see article) to keep things interesting.
For me, the really intriguing part is when the long term bureaucrat (me) is transplanted - by choice - late in life into a dynamic, non-bureacratic environment in which lateral thinking is encouraged (if not compulsory) and routines and timetables and rule books go out the window.
Personally, I have found it to be exciting, stimulating, frustrating, rewarding and exhausting in equal measures.
The "exhausting" part is probably due to my advanced position on the career life cycle (and the life life cycle too.)
Anyway, it has certainly been an interesting
adventure and a thorough test of the ability to be flexible and adaptable.
Things have been so hectic that there has been very little time for solitude so far, but that needs to change. Not so much from a leadership perspective, but certainly from an "inner peace" point of view.
Thanks for sharing the article Mark.
Cheers
Steve T
(I have decided to drop the "@" prefix - too conformist)
Thanks for sharing some of your experiences, Steve. It's great to have some real world examples from readers included in the blog.
ReplyDeleteI did secretly hope that someone picked up on my song reference in the title. Being the first to figure it out doesn't show age, just wisdom!
I too wish I was sitting in the room when William Deresiewicz gave the address. It would have been one to remember.
On your opportunities for solitude, I seem to remember a hike up a local hill we did with you a few years back that would do the trick. Others might call them "rest breaks" but I'm fine with calling them "capacity induced reflections".
It's all a matter of perspective (and some good advertising spin).
-Mark