Go First. That's The Job.
Leadership isn’t about waiting - it’s about moving when others won’t
Read time ~2mins
Leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice, the flashiest title, or the nicest suit.
(But a good head of hair and a nice smile doesn’t hurt…if I do say so myself).
Leadership is about going first.
And I don’t mean by being first in line for the pats on the back.
I mean by being first to take the step that is needed.
“A leader is someone who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way”.
John C Maxwell
→ When something needs to be said, great leaders say it.
→ When a hard conversation is looming, they have it.
→ When something breaks, they own it.
→ When recognition is due, they give it.
→ When change feels uncomfortable - they embrace it like a lobster (more on that parable another day).
Going first won’t make you look perfect.
You will make errors in judgment, bad calls, mistakes, and maybe even embarrass yourself a little.
But you will also be available, present, vulnerable, transparent, authentic, and a leader.
That builds trust.
Because teams don’t follow rules.
And they don’t follow what is said.
Teams follow what they see.
If the leader owns their mistakes, others feel safe to speak up.
If the leader gives feedback with kindness and clarity, others learn to do the same.
If the leader admits they’re still learning, others stop pretending they’ve got it all figured out.
This is what makes culture real and makes values stick.
Too many people are just waiting.
Waiting for someone else to break the silence. To speak first. Move first. Care first.
Great leaders don’t wait.
Yes, the first move carries the most risk. But it also carries the most weight.
Because when you go first, you make it easier for everyone else to follow.
How this plays out:
A leader says, “I got it wrong,” and the room exhales.
An exec recognises effort, not just outcomes, and someone finds a sixth gear.
A colleague gives an unexpected compliment, and suddenly the whole team is more human.
It doesn’t take much.
But it takes someone.
And if someone has to go first - it might as well be you.
So, if you’re waiting for someone else to show care, speak up, jump in, or step back…
Maybe it’s not someone else’s move.
Maybe it’s yours.
P.S. I write this as a reminder to my current self, and advice to my younger self.
P.P.S. Thanks to all the newcomers that have joined us in the past week - did we just become best friends!?
Another brilliant post mate. Enjoyed it as always. Recently, I’ve been introduced to a book called: “The Knowing Doing Gap” by J. Pfeffer and R. Sutton. It’s not a new publication but a gold one with some new updates. Highly recommend it, if not already read.