Eggs come in two varieties: hard and soft. The hard egg provides clarity, drawing the line between where the egg begins and ends. The soft egg flows, moving with the flow of what is and what is to come. Everyone has their own preference, their own egg. That’s just how we are cooked, or, if you prefer, baked.
Leadership programs often focus on values, emotions, vulnerability, turning inward, listening, and inspiring. Apparently, the leader is hard-boiled, and the key is to soften the egg.
It’s not surprising. Stepping forward, showing yourself, and taking initiative is more natural for the hard than the soft. These are important qualities that also ensure that people embrace leadership. It’s effective to balance these, which is something people work on in the programs. Do you step forward and create space? Do you show yourself, and are others seen? Do you take initiative, and is it embraced?
The ‘scrambled egg’ as the ultimate good. A mix of hard and soft. So yes, a leader shows emotion, is vulnerable, and listens, and a leader makes clear analyses, uses strength, and provides direction. Hugging trees and chopping them down if necessary.
Yes, even for softer eggs, development is needed. Perhaps they wonder how it’s possible that they possess all the leadership skills presented and yet aren’t leaders. Perhaps they think they could do better. Unfortunately for them, a hard egg is better than a soft one.
So, there’s work to be done for both. It’s that tension that makes it so beautiful. Can you discover and integrate both qualities? Not listening until it’s your turn to speak and not listening without ever speaking. Vulnerability, not limited to a single, defined moment, and vulnerability that’s never hopeless.
I wish you a happy Easter!