Assumption one:

You (the reader) are an entrepreneur or enterprising in some way.

Assumption two:

You’re occasionally puzzled by the ‘lonely’ feeling of leadership.

Conclusion:

Leading ‘eccentrics’ does feel lonely, and yet it’s comfortably familiar.

 

[SCENE ONE]

[ACTION] Directors call for Action! Roll cameras.

[CAMERA ONE] focus on chevron of geese flying through the crisp morning air. (fade scene to camera two)

[CAMERA TWO] tight shot of squadron. Pan right branch of the geese. Zoom to tight facial shot of lead. (you)

Imagine yourself, the ‘A’ list lead actor, flying in the squadron, returning from a winter-over in the south. You’re tired, hungry and a ‘rest’ sounds really great right now. Your goggles are tightly pressing on your face. The brisk air is patting your cheeks and ‘puffing’ noisily in your ears. Your green argyle wool scarf is flapping lightly on your chest. Your arms are out-stretched, your legs together… and now…you’re ‘in-frame’, the focus of the action.

The landscape below you appears to shuffle randomly like a drunk staggering this way and that. It’s an illusion caused by the shifting storm front. The goose at the lead of the chevron looses his focus and changes his mind on where he’s leading the flock. His indecision ripples through the formation like a snake through the water. Everyone notices. A series of ‘squawks’ echo through the ranks.

As the twisting wave of chaos reaches you, an emotional spike of fear strikes your heart. You mind habitually interrupts with doubt; “what if I’m suddenly in the pilot seat?” “what if the others believed – for even a moment – that they should follow me?” “could I do it?” “am I ready?”

[CUT-AWAY] fade to star’s dressing room

Six months ago, you were staring at yourself in the lamp rimmed mirror. It’s a clear memory that occupies your attention. Your goggles resting atop of your scarf folded neatly on the countertop, while you shuffle in your seat a bit and refocus attention on your facial expression. Your mind replays your self-affirmation just as you rehearsed it a hundred times.

• “Today, I envision my goals with 100% clarity, confident of my choices to lead.”
• “I deserve the great things coming to me as I focus on serving the greater good.”
• “I recognize that I am wisely lead, even as I wish to lead others.”

Your voice sounds distant as it breaks the silence of the room; “You can do this… I believe in you!”

You close your eyes, simmer in the moment, and your awareness returns to the air and the hesitating group of geese.

[RETURN] to main action:

[CAMERA TWO] geese flying

The formation breaks up. For a moment, all you see is unorganized, directionless geese looking for leadership. The chaos seems to ‘slow time’ like a scene in “The Matrix”. In slow motion, you hang paused in mid-flight, while your self-talk speaks up clearly; “This is it. Lead. You can do this.”

You consciously debate your thoughts; “I’ve put in the hours, up late, studying ‘leadership skills’”. “I’ve imaged this goal, this very moment – proudly slipping into the pilots seat to lead my fellow geese”. But, for some reason, you didn’t imagine things as they are playing out – in slow motion.

Your internal struggle, the same self-doubt going on inside all the other geese, causes you to habitually hesitate; but only for a moment. For some unknown reason, a stronger instinct within you seems to take charge and you simply resume flying. In that moment, that very instant, without a single squawk, you notice that everyone else is gone. Your heart seems to shout; “Keep flying… don’t look back. Focus on the destination”

Blink, blink. You think; “Where’d they go? Where are they?”

You keep flying, wondering; “What’s going on?” “Am I alone?” “Am I directionless and lost?”

Slowly you realize; “No, I’m not lost. I’m… I’m.. I’M IN THE LEAD!” The other’s have settled in on your bearing. They are following closely behind, one to your right, and one to your left. All the other’s are also following the wing of a peer. The chevron has re-formed, everyone becoming content to follow. This eases their concerns for a bit. But not you.

[CAMERA THREE] overhead shot – lead actor at the front – calming of the squadron

Your mind and emotions peg like an old single core processor – too much to calculate in too little time. “I’M in leadership?” “I FEEL alone.” “where ARE we going?” I thought leaders KNEW!”

From inside your heart, a quiet yet familiar voice reassures you. A subtle question is brought to mind. It’s almost a directive – with a curious and humorous punch-line familiarity to it;

From somewhere unseen, but deeply felt, God whispers; “GEESE!’

Without hesitation you focus, and answer out-loud; “what?”

Silence

Louder, with more intensity, you question; “Geese What?”

“EXACTLY!”; God answers.

“ok?” you mumble while your whole being tries to process all possible meanings of God’s message.

“GEESE WHAT?”; God asks.

“I’m geeseing…”; you say to buy some time. And then the answer pops in your mind, and out of your mouth in an instant;

“I’m geeseing I’m NOT ALONE?”

“EXACTLY!”; God answers.

“WE’RE leading!”; God answers. “This is fun! WEEEEEEE!”; God exclaims

“weeeeeeeee!”; you agree.

 

Moral

The Creator takes pleasure in our growth. It’s as-if we hand him a big bouquet of flowers, or fly on His wing by faith. He experiences our joy and is proud of our accomplishments, just as we thrill in our children’s expression of accomplishment.

“GEESE WHAT?” Next time you feel without answers, without direction, self-absorbed in doubt and fear, try to remember “WE’RE leading!”