To Be A Great Leader, You Must Have Hope
Hope is the foundation of great leaders, but in this time of Covid-19, ‘hope’ feels harder to grasp. It’s less tangible, more elusive.
When you think of hope, you most likely think of making wishes or crossing your fingers. The ‘I hope I get a new pair of slippers for Christmas’ kind of hope.
But there’s another kind of hope, called active hope. This is the kind of hope that moves us forward. This kind of hope can be learned and taught to others.
According to Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone active hope involves three steps:
Taking a clear view of reality, and
Identifying what you hope for, in terms of the direction you’d like to move or the values you’d like to see expressed, and
Taking steps to move yourself or your situation in that direction.
Cultivating hope is a daily practice, just like gratitude, your daily walk or brushing your teeth.
“Hope is: “the belief that the future will be better than the present, along with the belief that you have the power to make it so.””
So, what does ‘hope’ have to do with leadership?
As a leader, you are the carrier of your people’s hopes and dreams. And you are called to create hope and optimism for the future.
Hope gives people something to look forward to. It helps them see through chaos and complexity into possibility. Knowing that things can and will be better in the future is a powerful motivator.
Without hope, there is despair, a sense of hopelessness and disconnection.
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to paint your vision of opportunity and possibility, in connection with the people. Your vision begins with hope and that hope starts within you. With that deep desire. That yearning.
To bravely lead, you need to have hope. There is no courage without hope and there is no hope without vulnerability.
Are you up for it?
To cultivate hope, you begin within yourself. You learn to access your inner strengths, your calling and your vision.
This work isn’t easy, but it’s a necessary step towards developing your authentic leadership style and inspiring your people.
If you’d like to know more about cultivating hope, then let’s talk. Click here to send me a message and let’s make a time to talk.
About The Author
Maureen Johnstone is a Certified and Accredited Professional Leadership Coach who helps people deepen how they know themselves. She guides her private clients and workshop audiences to lead boldly—from a place of self-mastery, authenticity, curiosity, and vision.
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