As a leadership coach I have to admit a secret: I can’t make anyone a leader. But the reason may not be what you’re thinking.
There’s an old expression that says you can’t make chicken soup out of chicken poop (although it traditionally uses a different four letter word for ‘poop’). And that’s true–you can’t make something great from crap. But that’s not the challenge. Most people want to retort that I can’t make anyone a leader because we can’t “make” anyone do anything, and if you’ve ever had children in your care, you know exactly what they mean. We have no real power over people. Now, granted, the phrase my dad used to say may ring with an element of truth and humor: “You’re right, I can’t make you–but I can make you wish you would have.” But is that truly effective? Not really. Threats are not leadership and fear never systemically changed anyone’s core views, values or opinions.
So why can’t I “make” someone a leader? Because that would be like making an oak into a tree. It already IS a tree, and not because of me. As trite as it may sound, everyone is already a leader. Period. End of sentence. The problem is that not everyone sees themselves that way.
My goal and objective as a coach isn’t to create the leader, but to reveal the leader within. Michelangelo, when asked how he is able to create such amazing, inspired sculptures, simply replied that he doesn’t create anything. In every block of marble, he said, exists an angel, perfect in every way–he needed only to remove everything that isn’t the angel. THAT’S what coaching does – it reveals. For far too many, their angel, their leader within, is buried beneath the stone of self-doubt, past experiences, other people’s opinions, mistakes, failures, false evidence, limited opportunities and more. Just because they can’t see their leader doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. As a coach I see my job as Michelangelo saw a block of marble. My job isn’t to create, it’s to reveal.
My tools are ready and waiting. Anyone got an angel/leader within they are ready to reveal?
