Leadership is all about making connections and making connections work. Connecting followers to each other to work in teams and connecting them to the best ideas so that together they can accomplish great things. To make progress they must disconnect from the failed ideas of the past and make new connections that will work for the future. They must always be looking forward, like a chess master thinking several moves ahead.
In order to do that, there are three important types of connections to be made. The first is to make personal connections to new endeavors, constantly challenging themselves, and stretching beyond their perceived boundaries. They need to grow so that they can help their followers grow. It’s the old tradition of the general leading his troops into battle. Never send someone else to do what you are not willing to do yourself.
Secondly, they must be willing to expand their sphere of acquaintances and friends. New people can challenge our thinking and encourage us to expand our range. Traveling to new places, trying new experiences, and meeting new people that may be very different from us.
And thirdly a leader must make new brain connections. It is said that challenging ourselves with new ideas and habits can help our brains develop new synaptic pathways. Here is a recent article that talks about ways to make those new connections: 10 Proven Ways To Grow Your Brain: Neurogenesis And Neuroplasticity | HuffPost Life
Leaders can’t be static or the work will not progress. Exploration and experimentation will lead to better expression and both leaders and followers will grow as a result. Eight years ago I joined Edmonds Toastmasters and it has helped me tremendously Edmonds Toastmaster Facebook
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