Here We Are. Now What?

Leadership is a critical component of success. An organization cannot hope to function without it.
There is much that goes into leadership. For example, aligning everyone in the organization around the What and the Why and then getting out of the way so that the people can get on with the work.
But in "getting out of the way," effective leadership does not abdicate. Rather it functions best as a surrounding field, as Kurt Lewin or Margaret Wheatley might say.
For decades, organizations around the world have invested in developing their leaders. Now some are questioning whether we have gotten a suitable return on the investment.
Maybe the approach has been wrong. Thus far, leadership development has focused on developing individuals into leaders by teaching skills.
What if we looked at it a different way? What if, instead of developing leaders, we started to develop leadership itself?
What is "leadership itself" then?
Consider this favorite leadership quote of mine, attrib…

The job market right now is tough, generally speaking.

If you are a Twenty-Something engineering graduate, you will likely be snapped right up into a well-paying job with a bright vista of career progression ahead of you.
But if you are a seasoned pro in your Fifties or Beyond, and you find yourself displaced, you may be in for a very rude awakening. You've heard the litany: you are too old; you were making too much money; you won't stay long; you aren't adaptable. The list goes on.
Is there an answer?
While it is not a Quick Fix, the answer is, Go Into the Wasteland.
Just like the heroes in ancient myth had to journey into the desert to find meaning and renewal, you have before you the same opportunity.

In this series of posts, I'll be sharing some tips on ways to make the most of your sojourn in the desert, aimed at helping you emerge stronger and more focused on what you want out of life.
First, you have to believe in yourself. This phase of your life will test you great…