Accidental Leader

I am an accidental leader. Seth Godin says that to be a leader you
first have to make a choice to lead. Well, I made that choice a very
long time ago, but it wasn't until recently that I actually started
leading. Humorously, I actually started leading just after I had given
up on the very idea and just started trying to get things done. This
is why I feel like an accidental leader.

In fact I am not an accidental leader. I just finally got out of my
own way. I just stopped looking for the credit that I was due and just
worked to do the right thing. I was given the title "Lead" and did a
pretty bang up job. But when the job was finished and I had to move on
to something else, I remained a leader, but was happy just being one
of the troops again.

My next step is to figure out how not to be an accidental leader, but
to sucessfully create a tribe and move them in a direction
purposefully. The first couple of things to work on are:

* learn to not scare people with my passion
* learn to effectively communicate goals and direction
* learn to communicate in a way that is not perceived to be grumpy

The second item above will be worked on through this blog. I can learn
that through writing. The other two will require conversations with
people about things that I am passionate or upset about. Most of the
perceived grumpiness comes from quick statements, replies, or requests
that don't have the appropriate amount of politeness to buffer the
thought being communicated. I believe that will be my most challenging
change.

No more accidents!