Have you ever had an “A~ha! Moment” that is so profoundly simple you wonder why you’ve never seen it before? I had one of those a couple of years ago that continues to impact me.
I have always believed that the biggest reason leaders exist, is to be a source of light and help to their organizations and the people they serve. What if… There are two primary ways for leaders to share that light with others?
- As a candle – Softly and gently bringing understanding, help and hope to others. (Most people like the soft warmth and glow of a candle and will draw near.)
As a beacon – Boldly and courageously shining the light on danger and standing firm on truth. (This light comes from a place of deep conviction, and frequently calls the leader to stand alone. …This light is so bright and strong that some people cover their eyes and choose not to see the danger they are in.)
Clearly both types of light are needed! However…
- Choosing to be a candle in a situation that requires a beacon, can result in no behavior modification and cause something that is already a potentially dangerous situation to escalate.
- Choosing to be a beacon when a situation that requires a candle can cause people to believe that their intentions and their results are being judged. It can shut down their efforts and divide teams.
Holding these two options in your mind’s eye, is a powerful way to discern the type of light that is needed, ultimately creating a clear path to becoming a more effective leader. As you think through the meetings you have scheduled this week… Do you need to be a candle or a beacon?
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Chery is one of the Authors of the new Lead Change Book, The Character-Based Leader, Instigating A Leadership Revolution… One Person At A Time. Click the link above to receive a complimentary chapter of the book.
Very nice Chery. To the point and the imagery is powerful.
Thanks Deborah! Have a great day!
Simple but effective article. Actually made me think about my own style. Thank you for sharing Chery. Have a great weekend!
Regards
Vatsala
Thank you Vatsala! Einstein once said that if you can’t explain it to a six year old you don’t understand it yourself. I take that as permission to unleash my inner child!
I love this image of a beacon and a candle. It’s a good reminder to choose carefully how to deal with different situations and needs of the people we are in relationship with. Thanks, Kaye
Thank you Kaye! One of my favorite songs is Go Light Your World. The song lyrics include candles and beacons. One particular day it hit me that we are not called to be one or the other, we are called to be both. Prior to that day, I believe I was a beacon more often than not. Now I pray for the ability to discern which one is most needed and the courage OR the patience to shine in the most effective way.
We can definitely be both a candle and beacon; it’s just a matter of how we project our light and use the genuine qualities of that light appropriately and in a way that will best suit the situation. Very unique thoughts, Chery!
Thanks Kent! I appreciate your feedback. It is nice to hear that the thoughts are unique. The reality is that my inner 2-year old always wants to know WHY things work like they do. I was blessed to hear lyrics that helped me connect a few dots so I could understand and ultimately explain what I learned!