Friends with Clay Feet

"A leader ... is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind." Nelson Mandela

Oftentimes when I think of influencers, it reminds me of folks who have learned how to look good on instagram. This is not the kind of influence that has been helpful to me. I need my people to have skin and bone on them and show up at my house or meet me for coffee. I need people who will waste time with me. I need to observe if they practice what they preach, and on the occasions when they cannot do so, acknowledge it. I like to SEE the clay feet, not just the Photoshopped version that shows up on social media. (Who named it that anyway? Is social media really SOCIAL?)

All my influencers have very clay feet, which helps me take them seriously. In my inner sanctum of trusted friends, everyone is a hot mess now and again. It turns out, that for each of our super powers, we have an accompanying limitation. When we know this, we can plan accordingly. Tomorrow, we will chat about that!

A Realist…

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets people to do the greatest things."

Ronald Reagan

Although many folks might consider a person like me rather pessimistic, I would say I am realistic. I'm not one to get my hopes up too much because I fully expect that things will NOT run smoothly. I am fortunate to have influencers in my life who can balance out my caution with unbridled optimism - and I love them! They are quick thinkers and they love to anticipate a new day with endless possibilities. Where would I be without those friends?

Could this be you? Can you think of others in your life who have this capacity and inspire you?

A Problem Solver…

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear -- not absence of fear."

Mark Twain

"Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian."

Shari R. Barr

I don't think I'm much of an influencer, but, if being practical and solving problems is helpful - I'm your girl. I can find a problem when no one else is even looking - which can be anxiety producing. Others might not understand how I work, it might be hard to notice that my fear does not arise from the problem but more often from the belief that others are not paying attention to the problems that will arise as a result of ignoring important realities. I am also decent at problem solving, keeping the people I love safe and being predictable. Need action and adventure? Keep looking. But if you appreciate loyalty and steady commitment from a person, I'm you gal.

Could this be you? Can you think of others in your life who have this capacity and inspire you?

A Teammate…

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."

Eleanor Roosevelt

My son and teammate Scott has been a huge influencer in my life. Just today he responding to a crushing email with such knowledge, wisdom and patience that I could only sit for awhile in gratitude for the gift that he is to me - both as a son and colleague. Enneagram Fives are objective; which inspires me, a person who can be reactionary. We may not always agree with their conclusions, but we can trust that they have both the relevant data and facts. They will not obfuscate the truth to win.

Could this be you? Can you think of others in your life who have this capacity and inspire you?

A Creative…

"View your life from your funeral: Looking back at your life experiences, what have you accomplished? What would you have wanted to accomplish but didn't? What were the happy moments? What were the sad? What would you do again, and what wouldn't you do?"

Victor Frankl

My go-get-'em tiger friends on occasion take short cuts; they do not worry about perfection; they want results. Which is why it is also good to know influencers who inspire through creativity. One of my sons is about to release his second album. It is so good. I keep telling him that he should release a recommended reading list of books on history, philosophy, sports and politics that have inspired his lyrics. The musical vibe may be cheerful and even a bit pop-ish at times. The beat gets my feet moving. But the message? Wow. It is broad and long and deep.

Creatives long for and require authenticity; they stand close to their values in all they do. They inspire me.

Could this be you? Can you think of others in your life who have this capacity and inspire you?