Who do you see in the mirror?

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?