For the last ten years, Ohio has been the place where my family calls home (1998-present). Prior to living in the Buckeye State, I resided in sunny (and hurricane capital) Florida for six years (1992-1998) and even further back I lived in the great state of North Carolina (1984-1992), and way back I called South Carolina my home (?-1984). Having grown up in the south, I have many friends, especially from the Carolinas, who are always commenting about how they would love to live in the north because it snows here. I must admit…I used to think like that also. Before I lived in the “north pole,” I found myself contemplating what it would be like to frolic in the snow, sled down mile-long hills, cuddle by a warm fire, and bask in the glory of cancelled school days. I imagined beautiful snowflakes falling from the sky and making angels in the snow while having spontaneous snowball fights with my friends who had gathered to celebrate the snow day.
Now I am here in that place which only used to be in my dreams and I can tell you that it is more like a nightmare when it snows. My visions of grandeur explode every time I am shoveling several inches of wet, heavy snow out of my driveway. Usually when the driveway is complete, my back is killing me and I curse the day I ever moved to Ohio. Then, one of those people from North Carolina says, “You are so lucky that it snows where you live. It never snows here. I wish we got snow all the time. I just love snow!” Some people are even like, “Can you send us some pictures of the snow?” I’m thinking, “Why don’t you just come up here the next time we get ten inches of snow and feel free to play as much as you want in my driveway while you are shoveling the nice, fluffy snow! I’ll sit inside my warm house sipping on hot chocolate and watching you frolic.”
Leadership is sort of like this. Most people spend their life looking at leaders thinking, “I wish I was in his role or her position.” Those who are following tend to only see the benefits of leadership without seeing the challenges. If you are following, don’t oversimplify the role of the leader. Although you may think they have a dream job, there are many challenges you will never see unless you are directly involved in daily decisions. If you are in a leadership role, don’t treat those who are following as if they don’t know how it feels to be in leadership.
So, what do you think about snow now?
