Don't juggle in the dark

A valuable lesson that I have learned about leadership is the true value of communication. I think that there is a common misconception that leads people to think the leader has to be perfect in a lot of ways or at least always portray exemplary behavior. But really this is a very unfair expectation and it is unrealistic in the context of human imperfection. As leaders, we of course will always strive for the best that we can do and to provide others with a positive example. That is part of what makes us leaders because we try and lead others down the right path. It is misguided, however, to put pressure on ourselves to do everything perfectly in an imperfect world. We can strive for the best all we want, but in reality there are going to be other things that sometimes hold us back. It is all about knowing what your rubber balls are and what your glass balls are, just like Dr. Lisa Harris says. That analogy has resonated with me a lot this semester.

If you have to drop a rubber ball sometime, it does not have to detract from our role as a leader. What is more important than juggling all of the balls continuously, is active communication when you realize that you might have to drop a rubber ball. I realize that it is not perfection that makes a leader a good role model but it is communication when you know that you are struggling. It is important to let people know when you are dropping a rubber ball and letting them know when you plan to pick it back up. As long as it does not happen regularly and you really are trying your best, people will understand because a leader should be able to demonstrate their own integrity as long as it is communicated. If people are left in the dark, they may not be able to see all of the balls you are juggling. So in this way, communication is the spotlight for center stage because it allows the people who look up to you to understand the type of show you are putting on and the challenges that come along with it.