In Leadership, as with anything else in life, there are opposites to each of us. Things that attract, inspire and contradict. Components that make us who we are and to a certain degree explain why we are the way we are. These poles of opposites, of good and bad, make us into the Leaders we are. You see, with all that we are, we are also things we don’t want to be.

Take me for instance: My opposites are: Vulnerable and untouchable – Tough and Tender. I can easily give the impression that I am all about business, the results, and that all else is secondary. However, empathy and sensitivity is also part of my nature though in some cases deeply rooted and well hidden for the untrained eye 🙂 However, the side of me that take some time to get to know is probably the side that will make me into a good leader. I have to learn to embrace both sides, show both sides in Leadership situations. Who wants to follow a leader who shows/has no empathy… Right?

You need to find out what your opposites are. Working on your strengths will improve your weaknesses. However, your poles, your opposites, are there whether you like it or not. Learn to embrace both sides – to use both sides to who you are. This will enhance you as a leader and clarify to your people who you are and what you stand for. Ultimately, standing for something is more important than whether you are right or wrong.

You may think that this is deep stuff and hard to relate to… It’s easy really: Who are you and what do you stand for? If you cannot answer these questions to yourself, how would you ever expect your people to figure this out about you? If they cannot figure this out about you, then why should they follow you?

Good Luck!