Leaderless Leadership

Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday I swim.

I’m lucky to be part of a masters swim program that has a coached practiced Monday through Friday from 6-7am.

Ideally, I get to the pool deck around 5:40am to get in some extra yards before the start of practice.

This morning, per usual, my alarm went off at 4:30am.

To a Minnesotan’s heart’s delight—six days before Christmas—I awoke to 6 inches of snow.

Needless to say, for those acquainted with snow, the drive to the Eden Prairie Community Center was slow going.

As such, I wasn’t on the pool deck until 5:55am.

Typically, there are a few of us who like to get in a little bit of extra distance prior to the start of practice.

Apparently the other Minnesotans were better prepared than I was as there were already five people in the pool swimming when I walked out.

I figured it didn’t make sense to jump in until the coach showed up so I took the opportunity to stretch and wait for the “official” warm up.

As the clocked turned over to 6am, we didn't have a coach.

It was on me—still on deck—to throw a warm up on the board.

At 6:01am, without a moment of hesitation, we all started the warm up.

We simply just got going.

No coach.

No official direction.

No leader.

Just a passion and a deep-seated reason for doing what what we do.

For me, it’s about self-actualization…

…creativity…

…freedom…

…and commitment.

I spend a lot of time in the leadership and team development space.

As I was swimming, I started reflecting on what took place—in a matter of moments—and the valuable lesson around leadership and team development:

This is what leaders should strive for…

A leader should strive to create a team of individuals that needs no leader…

A group of individuals who are just excited to get going on the task at-hand.

Building a championship team is about finding people who have a clear WHY…

…and just want to do the work because the work fills them up.

Onward.