Leadership & Knowing

Perhaps the biggest leadership decision
of my life
is happening right now.

I must have said this a thousand times that when it comes to self-leadership, those who can lead themselves are capable of amazing things.

But when it comes to leadership of others, well that’s a different kettle of fish.

Decisions taken in this arena can directly impact the lives of those around you. Not just workload, personal development or even earnings of others. But entire lives.

And sometimes those leadership decisions are taken not because the outcome is certain or even empirically likely, but because you have a knowing that it is the right thing to do. Because you see the potential.

What an absolute privilege it is to be a leader both in and outside of the workplace.

Parenting is leadership on another scale altogether, and yes I’ll say it, especially for lone parents without a partner to co-depend. Decision-making here is unilateral and carries all the risk on one’s own shoulders.

Today is the first day of home-schooling my daughter, having taken the decision for a number of reasons to pull her out of school. With just 4 months left before her GCSEs, it’s a risk.

Her teachers were helpful, the school impressive, her classmates delightful. But the school system just didn’t work for her.

Recalling Atomic Habits, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” It could not be more true.

So today is day 1 of home-schooling, and I’ve never seen her more determined and studious. This remarkable young lady in the photo, taking her dog for a paddle in the kayak.

I honestly have no idea what I am doing.

But I know that I am doing the right thing.