Mirrors in Every Room

Most think leadership is about learning to read the room. And that's somewhat true. But it's also realizing the room is reading you too.

I learned that Frida Kahlo told her friend Mary that with this particular painting a mirror should hang side-by-side so Mary could always see herself next to Frida.

Frida said: “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”

A lot of leadership is built around projection.
Vision statements. Reach Goals. Messaging. Performance.
All part of the process.

But the leaders that people trust most are usually the ones anchored in awareness.

Not pretending the weight of life doesn’t exist.
Not expecting perfection at every turn.
Using a mirror of awareness.

Knowing the reality about challenges and risks.
Reality about responsibility and self-care.
Reality about how their presence and actions affect other people.

I recently heard a curt response about how a labor change would impact single mothers. The tone and flippant nature revealing. In that unguarded moment was a signal loud and clear.

Whether leaders realize it or not, there are mirrors in every room.
And leadership leaves a footprint in every room.

What kind of footprint are you leaving?