Solitude

Emerson wrote ‘he who would inspire and lead his race must be defended from travelling with the souls of other men, from living, breathing, reading, and writing in the daily, time-worn yoke of their opinions.’

One of the burdens of leadership is the weight of others’ voices.  Opinions, statements, requests, demands, complaints, criticisms - demanding the leader’s attention.

A leader listens to others’ voices.  Reflects on them.  Measures them against reality.  Keeps her emotions in check.   

She focusses on the voices of others.

Until she decides what to do.

Only then does the leader find her voice in the solitude of her decision.  

A statement about who she is, or at least, who she wants to become.

Then perhaps the terror of looking behind to see if anyone is following.

Teacher

Flight Sergeant Tanya Fraser, CSM, represents the hundreds of cadets, sailors, soldiers, airmen and officers whose professionalism, kindness and patience have taught me and others about the privilege of leadership during my 30+ years of involvement in military organisations.

The great advantage of military service is that unless you're an airman recruit about to get off the bus on the first day of Rookies, you're almost always in charge of someone. A Corporal points an open palm at a bewildered and pimply recruit and barks 'You! Yes, YOU! Get these people into three orderly ranks. NOW!' Instant leadership practice with compliant followers and immediate 'feedback' yelled in response to every mistake.

(It's not really Leadership of course, any more than a police officer's charisma leads you to breathe into her breathalyser. But it's Leadership with its L Plates on.)

In the military, your teachers call you 'Sir'. The really good ones patiently and generously allow you to 'lead' them, when really they are shaping and educating you. Luckily for me I have been taught by some of the best.