Few people have what it takes to consistently live the verb.
“Leadership is understanding they don’t care about what you have to say, but are paying attention to how you act.
Are you growing?
Are you evolving?
Are you being vulnerable with them?
Are you prioritizing education in your life?
Or are you just telling them they should?”
-Ray Zingler on X
Everybody and their brother loves to talk about leadership in the context of a noun. There is nothing easier to talk about than leadership.
Ain’t too many people out there who live leadership in the context of the verb. It’s because that requires not only discipline, but also confidence, humility, and (leadership) skill.
You’ll hear ‘em talk, though. Especially the old heads.
“Do as I say, not as I do,” as if words hold any weight in a teenagers mind from someone who clearly isn’t living the code in their own lives.
“When I was your age, I Leg Pressed 700!”
Yeah, well you have the mobility of a penguin now, bro.
“You’re either growing or dying” is what you’ll hear them say and while I do love the quote, guess what.
Everyone is dying.
You will never be as young as you are right now.
The question should be, “Are you living?”
Are you evolving in your own life despite your age and/or lot in life?
Or have you grown complacent because maybe you live and/or work in a field that rewards not “evolvement” but tenure?
You see most adults in today’s world are shieled by PR firms, policy, and time and when you’re “protected” you don’t have to evolve. You get to be the same, while you try to tell others to evolve. And then act bewildered when they don’t listen to you, while they watch your actions, which again, are counter to your advice.
You want them to share themselves with you? Be vulnerable? Are you vulnerable with them? Do you share your raw, real truths with them? Do you relate to them with stories of how you struggled with similar things they struggle with? Or are you only sharing the highlights, while expecting them to share their shortcomings?
“Education is the key to your future!”
I agree, but most adults don’t. They just say that because it sounds good.
They stopped educating themselves as soon as they got the sheet of paper (that means nothing).
Education is a lifelong pursuit and if you’re not taking it seriously in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, why should they?
They aren’t listening.
They’re watching.
Leadership requires you to behave accordingly.
