Have You Had a Leadership Epiphany?

Pay Attention to the Light

It’s January 6 and the days are longer. There is more light in our world. Also, there’s more light in my world as I discover new things and have an Epiphany. I love being a serious student of leadership – there is no end to learning.

As I looked for online references on Epiphany, I found this definition in Wikipedia: “An epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia, “manifestation, striking appearance”) is an experience of sudden and striking realization. Generally, the term is used to describe breakthrough scientific, religious, or philosophical discoveries, but it can apply to any situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to be understood from a new and deeper perspective. Epiphanies are studied by psychologists and other scholars, particularly those attempting to study the process of innovation^{“. *}

However, in the Christian Liturgical Year, Epiphany is the celebration of the Magi bringing gifts to the newborn Jesus. They followed the star to find the baby who had been promised for so long. As a Christian leader, I can’t separate my faith traditions from the rest of my being. I am fundamentally a Christian in leadership.

Paying attention to the rhythms of life, and paying attention to the traditions of society and the traditions of the annual faith journey, inform me and empower me to think differently about my current reality.

Very seldom do things happen in a vacuum or do things happen independently of one another. Therefore, observing how things happen and when things happen is both a duty and delight of the leader.

Bring light into your day by being aware of those new discoveries that come with each day. There may be times when one discovery will change the whole context of your work.

Maintain the course to achieving your vision. Pay attention to those moments of discovery that will bring Epiphany to your world.

May the light shine on you today.

* Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(feeling)