A reader of the i2i blog recently ran across the thinking of one of the instructors of the Darden Business School, Jim Cameron, and passed it along to me. I have not read Cameron’s work, but in it he discusses the concept of what he calls “Edge Abrasion.”
Edge Abrasion describes the process of wearing down that leaders so often face by being out on the edge, much like a boatsman peering out into the distance off the bow of his vessel.
Point well taken. The leadership grind will eventually wear you down.
How are we to survive and remain engaged?
This week we have looked at ways to stay in the fight. Review, renew, and discover all made our list, but there is one final practice to consider. It is to make sure you also recover.
Recovery is perhaps the most important rule of engagement that exists. However, most leaders don’t make time to recover. They feel like that there are two kinds of people . . . busy and lazy. The old adage, “If you want something done, find a busy man,” sounds wise to a leader.
But leader beware. Failure to recover will lead to disengagement.
And there is the paradox. To stay fully engaged, there must be times where you disengage.
Counterintuitive, but true.
As you enter this Labor Day weekend, I hope that you will make some time to discover and recover. Doing so will be like fuel for your leadership tank.
I will be practicing what I preach. No blog on Monday!
i2i,
Randy
What is your favorite thing to do to recover from the leadership grind?
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