Human “Doers” or Human “Beings”?

From my book, Leadership as a Lifestyle

As often observed, people are much more comfortable with “doing” than they are with “being.” In fact, at times people seem to be human doers rather than human beings! The gnawing belief that “doing” defines one’s value, whereas merely “being” just takes up space hovers over us all. The longing to establish our value based solely upon our accomplishments compels us to attempt life-management approaches that focus primarily on our roles rather than on our purposes.

The aversion to considering our purpose and then using it as a guide for our actions greatly minimizes the positive influence we can have in the lives of others. The depth of our influence with others is not primarily dependent upon the roles we play or positions we hold. The people we have become and the purposes we are fulfilling truly determine the depth of our influence with others. It is my belief that in its essence, leadership is a lifestyle, not a position. Solid, sustained leadership flows primarily out of who we are, not out of what position we hold.

Leadership positions do provide some tools of authority, such as resources and the ability to discipline. Yet in the lean, globally competitive corporations and organizations that dominate our world, the stretched resources and limited control of most managers exerts little sustained influence over constituents.

It is the character, competence, and commitment of a leader that sustains and validates their leadership. These three foundational elements must be aligned with the moral beliefs and principles at the heart of the leader. A leader exerts influence with integrity only to the degree that this alignment is realized. When your character, competence, and commitment are not aligned with your moral beliefs and principles, your influence is compromised.

As we assume the roles of spouse, parent, boss, and citizen, our greatest influence will not result from the title that we hold. Rather, our progress in becoming persons of character, competence, and commitment will determine our influence and effectiveness. No matter the roles you are given to fulfill in life, your success will begin with the person you have become and the life purpose you are fulfilling.