My (lack of) Ambition

I have friends who are passionately determined to change the world…

by next Thursday it seems.

Honestly, I am in awe of the leaders I work with who are gifted with a capacity for global vision. When I hear them share their dreams for large scale change I find myself both inspired and insecure.

-Inspired because I eagerly want to see the world improve.

-Insecure because I don’t have aspirations that impressive; and I wonder if I’m supposed to.

I work with leaders and organizations often as they define their Vision, Mission, and Values (or Dream/Path/Promise) and set their strategic priorities for years to come. I help them clarify their cause and communicate their Reason. I am drawn to those with bold aspiration.

But in my own work I’m not nearly so ambitious.

When I launched Lead With Catalyst on short notice three years ago all I really wanted was to continue the good work we’d done for 14 years as Catalyst Foundation in a way that paid my bills. I was too busy, and too caught up in urgency, to set big strategic targets or long term goals. It was survival mode.

But it wasn’t just the circumstances.

I know that the way I approach my work has never been about large scale. I am drawn to the human level much more than systemic impact. Sometimes that holds me back.

Throughout my life I’ve been focused on the people I can affect directly. I’ve never had that magnetic charisma that draws crowds or the belief that I belong on the biggest stages. (Not to say I don’t sometimes dream of higher profile, just that it’s not my motivation).

I’m not a world changer, I’m a people changer. Sometimes a team and organization changer.

What I’ve come to accept is that leaders are just not all the same. I’m not personally motivated by dreams of changing the world, but I will pour myself into the work of helping leaders and organizations one by one as they pursue their bold vision. I can eagerly come alongside those with dramatic ambition and help them find their way further down that road. I’m not the champion, I’m the sidekick.

Thankfully, I’ve been blessed to build a career and current role where I get to pursue work that fits my approach. It may not always be true, but at this point I get to be the trusted advisor who encourages the bold visionaries when they face discouragement, lose their path, or need some wise counsel. I can support their teams as we figure out how to get to those wonderful outcomes. And sometimes I get to watch from the wings and celebrate as they achieve their highest objectives.

I love my job!