Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

I was walking through the Denver airport earlier this week and saw a t-shirt that read Lions not lambs.

It caught my eye.

I didn’t stop the traveler to get his opinion, for all I know he got the shirt as a gift, but the statement infers:

• Bold, not passive or silent
• Courage, not cowardice
• Standing firm instead of being easily misled or deceived
• Leading with strength, not just following blindly

The part that gives me pause is this one-sided argument might be enticing to some but it doesn’t read quite right.

It should be Lions and Lambs. Not as provocative, but certainly more practical.

If we view things from a leadership perspective, a biblical perspective or from a sustainability perspective, you can’t be highly effective most of the time if you lean to one strength in every situation. A one trick pony is rather … predictable … and therefore easy to manipulate.

• Shouldn’t we blend courage with compassion?
• What of humility?

A good leader can toggle and a great leader transitions in a genuine and earnest way.  A leader’s leader can do both at the same time. Most people, regardless of age or degree of success, like to search out and push boundaries. You must demonstrate what those are. Then, when the boundaries are known to be firm, the testing slows and an expectation of kindness and benevolence emerges. Once you exhibit both Lion and Lamb, the relationship can and often does mature.

If you don’t have both tools on the belt, get cracking. You’ll need them both, and once familiar, you’ll be able to transition between them with ease or exercise them simultaneously without losing credibility.

Have a blessed weekend!

Eric