Happy Friday Everyone
I’ll be finding a new theme to explore with you next week, but in wrapping up this one, I wanted to return to one of my fandoms I brought up a few newsletters ago - Star Wars.
In my usual fashion, I’ve seen another concept from the show Andor that ties and explores trust quite closely to authentic leadership as a practice.
If you haven’t watched Andor, the following excerpt may be a spoiler for you, but as long as you don’t mind, it may prompt you to go watch it if you haven’t already.
I’ve seen following speech brought up several times this year, but not specifically along the lines of leadership as a discipline.
“There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy.
Remember this.
Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction. Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy.
There are whole armies, battalions, that have no idea they have enlisted in the cause.
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
And remember this. The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural.
Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle.
Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that.
And know this, the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire’s authority, and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege.
Remember this. Try.”
-Karis Nemek, The Trail of Political Consciousness.
Andor, Tony Gilroy
When it comes to self-trust, when it comes to following an authentic path of leadership, there are times that the effort required seems impossible, especially when we feel alone. It is not easy, nor always comfortable; we know this already.
And the scale of the enemy, well, it’s incalculable.
The enemy of leaders are found in every little voice in our head, all the societal pressures to act a certain way or conform, economic pressures keeping us in line to maintain employment, traumas from toxic workplaces and relationships, systems that maintain division and exploitation of the majority of humanity; everything has the potential to erode trust, make us choose performative action over consistent values, and value our own survival over collective well-being,
But random acts of authenticity and authentic leadership are occurring constantly throughout the globe. There are entire generations, workforces, and communities who have no idea they’ve already enlisted in the larger cause.
Nepal. Indonesia. Streaming cancellations. Founders stepping down from careers. Young workers defining success on their own terms. Mid-career professionals are taking chances on standing up for their values, and finding ways to change organizational culture.
These are all the frontiers of authentic leadership. It is everywhere, in every industry, organization, nation, and community.
It is within you. Even the smallest act of self-trust, of choosing authenticity pushes the line forward. And the more we push, the more our lines connect, reminding us that we are all responsible in co-creating this life we experience. We are not alone.
The currently used main models of leadership are managerial and so rooted in control are so desperate to hold on because despite their demand of conformity, they have become comfortable to us.
But conformity requires constant effort, and the job of enforcement has been outsourced to we,the people.
Because once we question how to lead, conformity breaks.
Authority not considered legitimate, not respected, is brittle. You can be a team leader, a CEO, a politician, none of it matters if you have to rely on your position alone.
Demanding your people respect you, and not earning their trust, is oppressive to yourself, just as much as them. It is a mask of fear. Of self-doubt.
Every moment is an opportunity to step into your authentic self, and lead with it.
Remember, every moment is an opportunity to earn someone’s trust, your own included.
Know this. If we want to achieve true culture change in our workplaces, our communities, and our societies, it starts with us.
Every little action, every little moment of defiance towards what keeps you small, including self-sabotage, will compound until it breaks the toxic authority so many feel alone in fighting against. You will learn to trust in yourself.
All that is required is that you try.
Have a good weekend,
- Chris
Contour Lines is my anecdotal newsletter segment that weaves whats going on in my life with my thoughts on leadership as well as personal and organizational development.
If something resonates, leave a comment, or reach out to chat - I always love hearing people’s stories.
Want to chat about personal growth or walking a path of authentic leadership but aren’t sure were to start? You are always welcome to book a free call to either get fresh perspective or see if we’d work well together in cultivating your capacity to lead.
