My wife is a teacher. Hands down her favorite thing about teaching is what she calls the light bulb moment. It usually happens after a lot of work, frustration, funny moments, and a whole lot of good ol’ teaching.
It usually happens with a student that was hard to reach, and are usually hard on themselves or kind of in an educational funk where it’s just hard to get it, and a feeling of hopelessness settles on them.
Then, as if all of a sudden, it’s like a light bulb goes on in their eyes. Finally, they get it. They understand. They stacked a big block on which to build. They’re going to make it. Every single time there is a big celebration, and major rejoicing of teacher, student and class, then at the end of the day, I get the privilege of sitting and listening to my wife, an amazing, passionate teacher tell me all about the moment the light came on. It’s the best!
I can say as a leadership coach, the very same thing happens to me when I am working with someone who has been virtually unaware and I am trying to lead them to a place of understanding, and there is always a moment, when the light goes on, and breakthrough comes and it is amazing the elation, the resolution, and the shear relief.
That is the picture of greatness.
Greatness is not…
- A charismatic, larger than life personality.
- A leader that seems to be so far beyond everyone else.
- One person above the crowd doing everything, as they brim with talent, and pride.
- Fame or notoriety
- Ever just one person.
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Greatness is leaving a trail. It is getting beyond the place of merely growing, or developing ourself. Greatness is when our thoughts go beyond self and include those we should be taking on this Journey with us.
Great leaders, never move to the top without taking a whole lot of people with them. As John Maxwell Says,
“If you get to the top and look behind you and no one is there, you aren’t doing this right.”
John C. Maxwell
Therefore greatness is not the pursuit of personal greatness, but the pursuit of leading other persons to do something great.
Commit to think deeply about intentional ways to pull greatness out of those you lead, then act. Watch and see greatness emerge.
