Day 37

It's hard to believe how much energy I've had today. I started out pumped and it never let up. Good thing too, because work was bizzay! It's been great though. Since I've been playing boss man with our supervisor out of the office I've actually felt involved in the process for once; as if my say might even matter!

I guess I like leadership because I enjoy fostering a peaceful and effective team environment. I like bypassing all of the usual BS and getting things done right; not because I'm right, but because doing things the right way should be a matter of pride for people who care about their jobs and the people they impact on a regular basis.

I like passion and enthusiasm, and I definitely love to share them with those around me, even if I'm often not so well met. Not everyone loves their job. Most people just do it for the paycheck. The trick is to inspire people to love the effect their level of service and performance has on those around them.

You either have personal pride or you don't. You can't force it on anyone. You can't teach it, and leading by example in the hope that others may glean from your own proportionally greater inner sense can lead to counterproductive levels of disdain and division.

What a good leader can offer his subordinates, however, is a tailored set of goals that specifically employ the strengths of the individual, then reward them for each accomplishment, no matter how minor, in a manner befitting their own proclivities.

This does naturally imply that the leader must know his subordinates enough to be able to cater to their needs.

Ah, but that requires a suspension of the bad kind of pride; a concept that most people who crave leadership in order to gain a sense of control over others are quite unwilling to entertain.

I don't want control. I just want to be happy and to help those around me be happy as well.

Day 37: 6+ miles in 100 minutes, including CD