Start leadership inside ourselves.

"Spirit at Work is not a bold enough vision. To talk of Spirit at Work is to fragment (a method of the mechanistic model) the human spirit that is born to be free, alive, whole, and healthy in all aspects of life-not just at work. We need greater foresight and need to conceptualize grander aspirations for ourselves, for the human spirit is sadly in need of revitalization everywhere: in our schools, churches, families, and on the streets of our communities.

I believe those leaders who want to transform organizations should talk of The Renewal of Spirit everywhere and learn, by doing our own inner work and taking our own courageous life actions, first to live, love, work, and lead in spirit-purposeful, authentic, courageous, and interconnected ways with all of life-in all that we do. We need to be the models for others, not the 'doers' or experts for others." -- Tom Heuerman

I agree wholeheartedly with Tom on this.  How many leaders have you observed demanding levels of personal accountability, caring for customers, commitment to shared goals, integrity, passion for people, resolve in the face of hardship, sacrifice for the greater good, etc. who are not living those things in their own lives?  What they are "not" doing - who they are "not" being - speaks much louder than noisy bluster about leadership, performance, and teamwork. Their denial about their own behavior sets up the deafening silence they confront in the office - silence that they think represents agreement and conformity, when it often represents disdain and/or fear.

I get truly excited when I see leaders who walk the path they speak about with humility - and not just in their businesses, but in their families, friendships, communities, global markets, etc.  Those leaders who put themselves out there, naked and raw, who "show the way" by expressing both their bold commitments and their humanity - those leaders truly inspire enthusiastic and committed "followership."