Tobi Fairley

This week I am traveling to Berlin, Germany for the Leadership of Design Council’s annual summit with 200 of the top architects and designers from the US and a few abroad.  This trip has me thinking about what it means to see myself as a leader in the many roles I play in life. I do believe I’m a leader, but not because of anything remarkable I have done. For me, it’s  all about my attitude toward life and what my relationships mean to me.

And even though it may seem like a contradiction, leadership (in my business, in my family, and in my community) is not about making people do what I think is right or best by convincing them to see things my way. Instead it’s all about listening, learning, understanding, and then acting from awareness.

It’s all about staying clear about who I am, what I want from life, and what I LOVE, while also staying totally open to what messages God or the Universe or life itself has for me as I make my way.

And it’s about having the courage to make changes when I see or feel the need, rather than letting fear keep me on a path I don’t think is right anymore. So, the ability to monitor and adjust is a big part of this leadership mindset, too. Overcoming the fear of the unknown and embracing change when I feel intuitively that it’s the RIGHT thing.

And I am always learning more about what a leader is, which usually means greater humility, deeper gratitude, and stronger commitment to service. And, I’m learning, it’s all about seeing (and then awakening) the potential in a person or a situation that might be hidden from plain sight.

And I’m not the kind of person who thinks that there are Leaders and there are Followers. I think that in different times and places, we all can (and should) be leaders. Because being a true leader means also knowing when to follow.

This way of thinking sounds a bit tangled, but I think it will ring true to anyone who chooses to see the world through the eyes of a leader. May happiness follow wherever YOU lead.

Xo,