On Leadership: Details

"It's important to me because it's important to them."

Attention to detail is an area where I must focus my energy through discipline.

I easily embrace the idea that leaders must be able to see the big picture and be able to adjust appropriately to shifting variables. Broad strokes and creativity are spaces that I move most naturally; however, I realize that the best leaders are the ones who discipline themselves to attend to the small, yet important, tasks that confront them everyday. Deadlines, advance planning, proof reading, and follow through are not difficult when they are part of a highly visible project that is a priority to me, but the real test is the attention to detail devoted to a task that doesn't excite me.

Often leadership involves participating enthusiastically, though not always visibly, in projects that are important to others. These are opportunities to truly demonstrate servant leadership to the organization.

An important mantra in these moments is, "It's important to me because it's important to them."