Leadership is doing what is right when nobody is watching. - George Van Valkenburg
One of my all-time favourite quotes about leadership.
Why? Let’s unpack it together:
Doing - translating visions, goals and intentions into reality through focused action is a key element of leadership
Right thing - brings up a crucial element of ethics in leadership - choosing between right and wrong, aligning our decisions with our values and being willing to fully accept the consequences of decisions we make
Nobody watching - consistency and integrity with oneself - i.e. can you look at yourself in the mirror. As the world around us becomes more volatile and confusing, our inner alignment becomes more and more important.
I think about this quote often.
When I need to do something I don’t want to. When I need to face my fears or overcome a difficult situation. When I know my decision will impact others in important ways. When I want to give up..
In all those moments and in many others, I realise how well it captures the essence of leadership.
What about you - what does this quote mean to you?
