Gift Giving and Leadership
Some articles get scanned and passed while others resonate within you heavily for some time. Yesterday I read a post: Ideas Into Execution: Giving Away an Idea to Make it Happen. This was one of those such article. A powerful story that has been playing out for close to a year now and shows the power of community and giving. Embedded into this article is a short but powerful TED 2010 talk on leadership lessons that is a must watch:
All of this meshes well with Seth Godins concept of Santa Math published this week:
Santa flies around the world, giving stuff away, and for what? He earns gratitude, trust and friendship, that's what. Sure, one day he might decide to license his image or try to sell you something. But right here, right now, gratitude, trust and friendship are plenty. Especially if you enjoy doing what you're doing.
True leadership is less about leading/directing and more about giving and supporting.
