A Bridge to Leadership

Be a bridge builder

The Lake from the Bridge, Public Garden, Boston, Mass., postcard, 1885 (public domain)

“We are all part of a larger stream of events. We are all the beneficiaries of those who have gone before us.” — David McCullough, 1998 

To the uninitiated, leadership can seem like a reward for a lifetime of hard work. Once you’ve reached the proverbial top, you can kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

On the contrary: leadership is a journey, not a destination. And when you reach certain milestones, the most important thing a leader can do is to bring others along.

Some of the best leaders I know spend their time helping new leaders find their way. That is, they’re mentors. Notice I didn’t say “younger,” because mentorship can come from any direction and at any stage in your career.

You’ve heard the advice to “send the elevator back down…