Welcome To The Future

Embrace the NEW YOU today.

It’s that time of the year again, we’re making our New Year resolutions: I’m going on a diet. I’m going to hit the gym.

But 2021 isn’t an ordinary year. This is business, not as usual. We’ve just come out of 2020, an unprecedented year. Why not take the opportunity to make a macro change, to look at the big picture: who we have become, and who we want to be. To welcome 2021 with gusto — the first day of the rest of our life. Take on something big and exciting; scary at the same time. Because something’s been tugging at your brain, something that matters, something you cannot not do.

I hope that this manifesto will inspire joy and excitement to get onboard the journey. It begins today.

I’m a leader.

I could say that I love to lead.

But really, I like to be followed.

A lot.

For too long, my fragile ego has depended on the loyalty of others.

I have tried in vain to please my followers and bosses and win them over.

This has plagued me for years.

This has kept me playing small.

So I’m giving up.

I’m falling back in love with leading.

With the actual craft.

And not the disease of fortune and fame.

I’m kicking my lust for power.

And learning to lead for myself again.

This has been both therapeutic and challenging.

And I am finding that I am not alone.

Leaders everywhere are rediscovering their first love: leading.

Not bonuses, or the corner office, or fancy titles.

Just leading.

This manifesto is an outstretched hand to others who feel this same tension between people and performance.

This is the first and only lesson every leader must learn:

Real leaders don’t lead for fame, fortune and powerful friends.

They do it because they cannot not lead.

By their gifts,

and under the authority of a higher calling,

they are compelled to lead.

To imagine.

To inspire.

To initiate.

But most importantly,

to empower people to believe in their own power to lead.

Leaders are bold.

They are ambitious.

But their ambitions are not self-serving.

Rather, they feel personally responsible for making the world a better place.

Real leaders wake up every morning feeling

“There’s something bigger I’m meant to do”.

Even if they can’t yet articulate it.

Under immense pressure from all sides,

when it is so tempting to call it quits,

they discipline themselves to persevere.

Questions of how long or how much are irrelevant.

The true leader simply shows up.

Ready to do the work.

Real leaders do not need the biggest teams or the fanciest tech

to deliver performance.

They know, without question,

that their greatest adversary and ally

is themselves.

And that they are not alone.

Real leaders recognise that there is a hidden force.

Acting upon them.

Guiding them.

And leading them.

The wisest leaders call upon this force,

taking the time to learn how to wield it well.

They do this every day.

You may not feel ready to lead.

But this is not an excuse to wait.

It is a call to begin.

To honour your gift.

To show up.

Even without invitation.

It is not up to you,

This whole process of creating the next big thing,

Or becoming a great CEO.

It’s not your call.

Your job is to show up.

Show up in an extraordinary way.

In the way only you can.

We only have today.

That is all we are ever promised.

And today, we must lead.

The real leader within is waiting.

Something big is tugging at your brain, something that matters, something you cannot not do? You need to figure this thing out, deal with whatever is coming at you before you mess up your sh*t for good.

We can help you take your leadership to the next level. Hold the space for that strategic conversation with your inner wisdom. Create your leadership brand and go live up to it.

If you like reading more about leadership and change, join our newsletter, stay inspired here.

PERSONNA is a leadership development company focused on the people side of transformation. We hold a simple belief that everyone is an extraordinary force for positive change, and our solutions should be as unique and agile as you and your business challenges.

We’re here to help people become better leaders, build highly-effective teams, and create a culture of trust & collaboration in their organisations. We provide leadership branding, leadership coaching and group experiences. If you are curious to learn more drop us an email to hello@personna.me.