Passion. Ability. Reality. Joy.

>I was challenged this past weekend with a new perspective on the story of Joseph in the Bible. Quick recap: Joseph was disowned and sold off by his brothers, framed by the a powerful woman and thrown into a dungeon, and basically had a rough start to his life. His life, however, turned around when he was given the opportunity to interpret the Pharoah’s dream, something nobody else could do. Not only that, but once he correctly interpreted the dream, he became an advisor to Pharoah on how to deal with the consequences of the dream.

There were several points in this story where Joseph chose to lead people in the right way instead of please them in order to gain their approval. Like many leaders, the people in Joseph’s paths had a different idea of what they wanted/needed. And all they asked Joseph to do was to make it happen for them. Support them. Give them what they demanded. But Joseph demonstrated true leadership in the fact that he chose NOT to please them, but rather lead them in what was right, regardless of the personal consequences he might face.

And he faced some dire ones, but in the end, he was given great responsibility and trust, because Pharoah knew that he wasn’t going to dance around issues but rather do what is right for others.

As a consultant and strategist, I can only hope to become like Joseph. Someone who is willing to advise my clients on what is right for them, regardless of the personal consequences, rather than just please them in order to get short-term (and short-lived) benefits. True leadership, and I’d say a true “trusted advisor”, is someone willing to have the tough conversations and willing to say “no”. But you have to be willing to deal with the consequences. There’s no guarantee that taking such an approach will yield positive results. But if you truly want to be a leader, I’m not sure you have much choice.

Someone once said that their goal is to be a leader worth following. Well, I think that in order to do that, you have to be willing to lead rather than please.

I hope I can be a leader worth following…