Reflecting Leadership

“There are two ways of spreading light, to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

- Edith Wharton

This quote is usually interpreted as an analysis of leaders and followers – leaders who shine and followers who reflect. But after Friday’s trip to Lansing, I think there may be a deeper meaning.

We arrived in Lansing dressed to the nines in our business attire. We checked in to the Romney Building ready to meet with Senator Posthumus and Bill Rosten. We were ready to ask intelligent questions and learn from some of Michigan’s big leaders. But in the midst of everything, one person stood out to me more than the important politicians who seemed to have all the answers: Laurie Rospond – the Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the Governor’s office.

Rather than being the face of a great vision, Laurie leads from the side lines; from behind the scenes – she leads through service. She plans meetings, prepares rooms, works with hospitality, provides information; she keeps the Governor’s office functioning and prepares them to lead and be successful.

Some may say that this is not leadership; that it is merely service. But Laurie is just as integral to the leadership of Michigan as Governor Snyder. Each step she takes for efficiency and preparation makes the Governor that much stronger as a leader. This strength is then reflected as her own leadership. As the Governor’s office advances and becomes stronger, Laurie advances too. But Laurie doesn’t lead for the title or for recognition of her services. She leads because of her passion for the success of Michigan; she leads because of her desire to help the Governor succeed. She works in a service-based form of leadership which is rewarding inwardly, rather than the outward glory of a traditional leader.

While talking with Dr. Z on the ride home, my acknowledgment of this form of leadership was strengthened. We discussed Michael Finney and how much more personable he seemed in our lunch with him.

“Isn’t it just attributed to stage management?” Dr. Z inquired. Seeing my confusion she continued, “I pulled him aside before lunch and told him I wanted you all to have a personal, relatable experience. I fed you all a line before the conversation started: your leadership trait.”

I’d never thought of it like that.  Dr. Z had set the stage for our meeting with President Finney and she had ensured that we got a specific experience in that situation. She had led the meeting – but not from the spotlight with President Finney. She led from the back of the room, organizing and preparing us for what was to come.

There is a position in politics called an Advance Man – a person similar to Laurie Rospond and Dr. Z during our trip to Lansing. An Advance Man travels ahead of a politician, a governor, a senator – a leader – and prepares the way for them. An Advance Man makes sure the stage is set, the people are present, etc.  An Advance Man stays when the leaders arrive to keep the event running, to provide information, etc. Without all of these things, the leader would be nothing. Without a stage, he’s just a protester on the street. Without people, he will never be heard.  Advance Men keep leaders from, for lack of a better phrase, looking like a fool. These people are leaders like Laurie Rospond and Dr. Z – they’re leaders outside of the spotlight. And just like Laurie Rospond, as the leader in the spotlight grows and advances, the Advance Men grow and advance as well. Their influence on leaders and their role in leadership is immeasurable.

These service-based leaders must be competent and intelligent; they must have the communication skills of a traditional leader; they must listen and relate to followers on a unique level; they make decisions efficiently; they empower traditional leaders to take the spotlight and guide the process form the frontlines.  These service-based leaders are passionate and devoted to their cause – and they are humble.

These service-based leaders have all of those leadership traits we discussed – but they are presented in a manner not always acknowledged in the search for leadership.   They shine with a light that is reflected – but that light is just as bright, if not brighter, than the beacon of a traditional leader.

Maybe Edith Wharton’s quote isn’t about leaders and followers – but about leaders…and leaders.