The ABC’s of Leadership (Day 14): Nurture
Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. (Marvin J. Ashton)
Day 14 – ‘N’
ABC’s of Leadership (Nurture)
Last week, I was reminded of a very powerful lesson: mentorship is passive, sponsorship is active. Each relationship offers value and benefit to the receiver, but the method of engagement varies. What each has in common is that they both involve nurturing others.
Scholars, and others, question whether or not leadership is a product of nature – what you’re born with – or nurture – cultivated talents, skills and behaviors. According to Gwen Moran’s 2013 Entrepreneur.com article ‘Leadership: Nature or Nurture?’, up to 1/3 of leadership characteristics and traits are inherited. The study, however, also notes that the majority of what leaders need to be successful is taught (or nurtured).
The reality is that good leadership is about both: what you’re born with, and what you work to make better.
This is critical for leaders. Take this analogy: your organizational culture is the fertilized soil. Your people are planted, and rooted there. It’s toxicity, health, and nutrients (values) play a major role in your team’s growth. As a leader, your words and actions are the vitamins, sunshine, rain, or neglect impacting team growth. Each interaction with your team encourages, or discourages them.
By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity. (Vernon Howard)
Nurture your people. Speak words of life. Show integrity.
Want more on leadership? Check out my partner Dale Richardson’s thoughts in his Live the Goals podcast here!
“The ABC’s of Leadership” is a web series highlighting principles of leadership.
Each day, we’ll highlight a new focus area and concept. Done in partnership with Dale Richardson, a Podcast Host and John Maxwell Team certified speaker, trainer and coach, we’ll also offer a podcast exploring each idea further.
Tune in daily!