Leadership as a Moment: Building Presence and Influence Without Titles (S2.45)

How do you practice being fully present in both professional and personal settings to recognize leadership opportunities?

Perry Maughmer explores the essence of leadership as an action rather than a set role or title. The podcast targets those eager to evolve their leadership thinking, actions, and behaviors without clinging to feel-good quotes or corporate ladder tips.

Perry underscores that true leadership is about being present in the moment and recognizing opportunities for action. Leadership isn't confined to those with titles or official positions; anyone can make the world better for the people around them. The focus is on personal responsibility and everyday leadership moments.

This episode emphasizes the concept of "Leadership as Moments," recognizing that significant leadership happens in the present through everyday interactions. Perry introduces the concept of "Ichigo Ichie," stressing the uniqueness of each encounter and the importance of seizing these moments.

Everyone has the potential for leadership. It requires presence, awareness, courage, and taking action in everyday situations.

Key Moments

00:00 Leading is about creating a better world.

03:48 Leadership arises in everyday moments and presence.

08:48 Identity as activity enables objective improvement.

10:36 Perfection isn't the goal; trying and serving is.

13:09 Leadership requires full presence in the moment.

18:30 Judge actions, not outcomes, to evaluate decisions.

19:49 Opportunities to lead are always around you.

24:19 Discussed trade profession promotions and development timelines.

29:29 Practicing presence reveals unnoticed opportunities and details.

31:04 Practice being present; develop everyday leadership skills.

35:08 Leadership requires awareness and decisive action.

Top Takeaways

- Leadership is found in everyday interactions and opportunities, not just in titles or formal positions.

- Being present and fully aware is essential to recognize and act on leadership moments.

- Leadership should be viewed as an action (a verb), rather than a fixed identity or title (a noun).

- True leadership is about intent and service to others, rather than exerting authority or control.

- Effective leadership involves changing one’s own behavior and actions to positively influence others, rather than attempting to control them.

- Many actions aimed at controlling the future are futile; true leadership focuses on immediate actions and present behavior.

- Empathy, sensitivity, and meaningful connection are crucial for effective leadership.

- Leadership development involves continuous learning from mistakes and early failures.

- Leaders should act immediately and courageously when moments for leadership arise, rather than waiting for permission.

- Leadership is about personal evolution through recognizing and acting on everyday moments to make the world better for those you care about.

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn &  Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum &...