The Art of Leadership: A Holiday Surprise and a Timely Reminder

I had a wonderful surprise over the weekend that still warms my heart. Our son who is away in college showed up.  He is not far away, but had indicated that he was applying to stay on campus for the winter break. So, I was shocked when he sauntered in on Saturday — tall, handsome and self-assured.

What I’m going to share today, though, was an insight from a book he’s reading. I happened to be in the back seat of his car, and picked up the book: The Official U.S. Army Tactics Field Manual.  The section I read talked about the “science” of tactics vs the “art”.  I had always thought at art as something that is innate, natural, unlearnable.  Artists are simply naturally talented, right? The message in that section was that art is based on practice.  According to the manual, “An art, as opposed to a science, requires exercising intuitive faculties that cannot be learned solely by study. The tactician must temper his (her) study and evolve his (her) skill through a variety of relevant practical experiences.” The more we practice something, the more natural it becomes. The more I practice piano, the more natural it becomes. The more I practice speaking in front of an audience, the more natural it becomes.

It’s the same with leadership.  Leadership, like military tactics, is science and art. There are things good leaders do and things good leaders don’t do, but the beauty of leadership is the art: the things good leaders do because that’s what they do. They don’t have to think about it. The don’t have to  pull out the handbook for every challenge. They just lead because that’s who they are.  THAT comes from practice. They may start with the handbook and study how to conduct a feedback session, how to have a one-on-one meeting, how to complete a performance evaluation. But when leaders put that handbook into practice day in and day out, when they are having a good day, and when they are not, it begins to feel natural, it becomes art.

I trust that through our journey together, you are putting leadership skills into practice, day in and day out, so you can better combine the science of leadership with the art of leadership.

Happy holidays everyone! Both our adult children are home. I will enjoy them as long as I can, and let them go when they are ready. What are YOU doing for the holidays?

Camille B.

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