An opinion essay
From individual success to collective Impact; a sign of great leadership.
The art of embracing interdependence.
Although independence can empower us to have greater control over the quality of our work, it’s crucial to recognize that if we become stuck in that stage of our career, we may fail to let go of it. Hear me out…
At the outset of our careers, when we were still amateurs, many of us were heavily 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 on others to learn and develop, and this was entirely appropriate.
As we progress, we may begin to experience a greater sense of involvement when we gain a 360-degree perspective of our work. However, it’s important to recognize that this sense of 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 is not the endpoint, as some might assume.
As we climb higher up the career ladder, it’s almost inevitable that we increasingly become 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 on others in order to achieve our larger objectives. This is the point where our true leadership skills emerge, provided we are able to move beyond our cherished independence. It’s a difficult one to strike a balance. One must have a sense of control as a leader and at the same time have the willingness to let it go by trusting others to achieve the goal.
Leaders who understand the importance of interdependency and approach it with genuine concern & care for others, with a well-defined vision, and true wisdom, go on to become inspiring heroes whose legends endure long after they’ve moved on. In contrast, those leaders who resort to micro-managing to keep control of the output to themselves may be remembered as villains of the past, and only to be forgotten forever.
Letting go of the independence that is rightfully earned is not going to be easy; it takes effort. Carrying interdependence with grace is even more challenging, but when we’re able to do so effectively, it can be tremendously inspiring to those around us, and together, we can accomplish incredible feats. Because, its fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth.
Over the course of our careers, we all will encounter both types of leaders — those we should emulate, and those we should not.
In fact, encountering both is crucial, as each provides valuable lessons on what to do and how to do it, as well as what not to do.
Cheers,
Dhaneesh Jameson | LinkedIn | Twitter
(Product Design Leader, Filmmaker)
