Could you be your organisation's lighthouse?

On a sunny day in Cornwall it was hard to imagine the lighthouse's impact at night.

10 years ago, I was working with a group of new managers. Looking at how to manage people effectively, we explored a range of scenarios to help them feel prepared for this big step up.

One seemed disgruntled and said they'd not experienced the type of management I was describing and encouraging. They complained in a way that suggested they hadn't had that example set "...so why should I have to do all this for other people?"

I was honest. I said I'd had some poor managers myself; and agreed how frustrating it was to work for/with them. However, imagine the impact you could have, I said, if you start to lead your team like an excellent manager even though you didn't benefit from that yourself?

Sometimes we need to decide that things are going to be different - and that it starts with us.

Stepping up and shining your light into the darkness helps other people to navigate safely. And they will have a great example to follow when it's their turn to step up.

Imagine how many people's working lives will be made better than yours has been by being the leader or manager you never, or rarely, had?