On the difference between leading the way and lighting the path … 

Read more thoughts on the art of communicating week-daily at https://michaelgerharz.com/blog

Mentioned in this episode:

My new book is out now

You’ve got a bold vision and a strategy to achieve it! But why does your company seem to be standing still? Why is the gap between what strategy promises and what it delivers so vast and disheartening? And what to do about it? Find out in my new book “The PATH to Strategic Impact”: https://geni.us/the-path

New book

Welcome back to

“Irresistible Communication”.

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Two minutes, twice a week.

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No nonsense advice on

leadership communication.

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Today, let's imagine the journey of a

visionary leader stepping in with fresh

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ideas and an eagerness to disrupt.

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They set bold plans to reinvent

traditional practices, leverage

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modern tools, and shift paradigms.

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That leader is confident, ready

to put these plans into action

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with no second to be wasted.

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But, there's a catch because

the team doesn't follow.

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The leader's vision for the

destination is crystal clear.

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However, clarity about the destination

isn't enough when the team is

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grappling with unanswered questions,

like: why are we heading there?

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Why is this journey ours to undertake?

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And how do we make choices along the way?

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These are not mere details.

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This is a critical difference between

leading the way and lighting the path.

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While the former sets the direction, the

latter provides clarity on the journey’s

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purpose, the team's unique role and

the principles guiding decision-making.

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True leadership is about fusing

vision with a shared purpose.

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It's about ensuring, not just

movement, but meaningful progress.

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When a team understands the

destination, grasps the significance

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of their role and is equipped

with decision-making compasses.

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They are not just following, they are

actively owning their part of the journey.

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Remember, great leaders don't just lead.

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They light the path.

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They engage and empower and they

transform a group of individuals into

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a united team on an inspiring journey.

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Keep lighting the path and

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