A Leader is Someone on Purpose

Lately, I've had the opportunity to see what the people around me look like under pressure and when they're feeling at their lowest.

I had a setback myself a few weeks ago that sent my plans in disorder and had me rearranging what I thought I would contribute and where I wanted to be.

I showed up for these challenges with presence and vulnerability (as much as possible) and so have the people in my life. I began to see a strength and presence emerge in myself and others that wasn't there before.

It's a gift to witness ourselves and each other in these moments and at these near-breaking points. To stand beside a grieving friend or a colleague struggling with the right thing to do is a kind of leadership.

I don't think, as leaders, we give ourselves nearly enough credit for the work we do of supporting each other. It's as vital as the work we do of service in the world.

And speaking of supporting leaders, I had the privilege of giving a talk about changemaking this summer at the Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center in Palo Alto, California.

As changemakers, we have the ability to witness to others' suffering and external injustice and then do something about it.

Knowing is not enough. Taking action is critical.

When I first connected with Sensei Les Kaye at Kannon Do and he invited me to speak, we talked about leadership and the need for right action.

Witnessing without action is complicity.

When I hear a friend make a casually racist joke and I say nothing, I am complicit in that racism. But when chose to speak up, I create an opportunity and a choice in that moment. Where do we want to go from here? Who do we want to be?

So much depends on my willingness to be uncomfortable.

As I am willing to step into leadership in this way, speaking up when I see something in my circle that makes me uncomfortable, I see my relationships become more authentic.

It matters less who we have been and much more, who we are becoming.

The recognition that I need to do more work to unravel my privilege is happening in layers for me. I want to keep having conversations like the one here, with leaders from different paths.

Silence is the best way to keep me locked in shame. The discomfort of speaking out is less than the shame of staying silent. This simple calculus propels me forward.

Thank you for caring about how you show up as a leader in the world.

I am grateful to Sensei Les Kaye at the Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center for hosting a discussion about changemaking in the community.

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