You probably didn't miss it, but in case you did, @ned announced 70% of Steemit Inc had to be let go because of the worse than expected influence of the bear market on STEEM's price. It was a good bit after midnight already when I read that post, and in the end I went to bed at 4 AM. I'm still processing the news more than 20 hours later, but the word leadership is constantly echoing in the back of my mind - I don't know if I'll have something useful to say, but let me just start writing.
What is leadership?
I've always had a very conflicted relationship with 'leaders', especially in the more profit-focused companies I worked for.
- One of my CEO's was good with numbers and 'making deals'. He should have been a CFO and take on a visionary leader.
- Another had a vision, a dream of a better future, but couldn't translate this to anything concrete, in the meanwhile yelling at employees to 'make something innovative happen'. He should have written inspirational books.
- I worked for a CEO who thought she had to be as distant as possible to gain the respect she thought she deserved for being in that position. I showed her my way and in that process she became better liked by all her employees.
- I worked for a CEO that became my friend and we walked through the world as if we were two rebel women fighting for a better world. We should have accepted a third person that would have balanced out our overlapping ideals.
I've learned something from every one of these leaders, and I know they all have learned something from me. I was never their boss, their leader, but by always treating people like they are my equal and sharing my views on different topics no matter what I always made sure we were exchanging - which meant we both could learn and grow.
The important thing is: I've never had a boss that was a perfect leader. One that 'had it all'. I'm highly sceptical a perfect CEO exists, a perfect CEO is a highly mythical creature that we might all be looking for, but will forever hide in the woods.
It took me a while to learn I shouldn't be frustrated that this person carrying the title CEO wasn't 'perfect', but instead that I could simply try to balance out their imperfections by acting on what I thought could be better.
Where are our leaders?
With that bit of background in the back of my mind, listening to @ned's words, seeing some people step up, missing some other people that I expect to step up, I kept wondering who are our leaders. Actually, I know quite well who my leaders are, but I'm not sure if everyone in this community realizes that we have hundreds, thousands of leaders, and which are theirs.
Centralized leadership is passé
We don't need a Mark Zuckerberg - the one all-deciding man that gives us a crappy interface and gets to decide which updates of friends and family we do or don't see. We don't need one person that we all look up to and that has to tell us where we are going or what our social experience will be like tomorrow by simply changing it from one day to another.
Decentralized leadership is freaking awesome
No, we need many many leaders, all doing their thing, sharing that one skill they excel in, and all of those leaders together will in the end create something that comes close enough to the mythical perfect CEO.
- We need a @meno providing hard-working talented Minnows with a community they can thrive and develop themselves in.
- We need @exyle to always give a level-headed opinion on different topics daily, and @therealwolf to always be present to guide us in times of hardship without adding to the drama
- We need @aggroed and @yabapmatt to create a highly successful app and matching community that creates a steady stream of activity and trading on the blockchain.
- We need @coruscate and @anomadsoul to create a @steemonboarding project that gets Steem closer to mass adoption
- We need a @crimsonclad endlessly and patiently explaining the most diverse topics to each and every Plankton over and over again.
- We need @taskmaster4450 and @tarazkp because they're always able to put a lot of what's happening here in a broader technical of philosophical framework that helps us see the bigger picture
- We need @nathanmars being awesome and offer to work for free for Steemit Inc.
- We need @partiko and @steemhunt and @steemmonsters showing us how to constantly improve by actively learning and developing while keeping the community involved and engaged.
- We need @alexvan offering some suggestions for Steemit Inc in a very honest comment.
- We need... [...]
[I took this picture because I was proud I had just let myself be helped. I became a better person once I realized I didn't have to do everything all by myself. Sometimes I forget. But often I remember just in time my biggest successes were accomplished when I asked for help.]
The thing is - we often don't realize who our leaders are, and worse, we don't realize that we are leaders ourselves. If you have any skill that's needed to develop this blockchain, be it awesome content making skills or being a smart and present witness or being a high-level developer: you are needed and you can be a leader.
You offering your skills to projects, to help people with tasks that aren't strictly yours, by answering some 'n00b' questions even if it's for the trillionth time on Discord - it's all leadership, leading by example, by explaining, by sharing, by engaging - and all of that leadership combined can make oceans move on Steem.
Who are your leaders?
Probably, you are one
Start by accepting and embracing that you probably are a leader - whether you lead 10 people through a few DM's on Discord, or inspire hundreds through your inspirational posts on Steem. Then start acting just a little more on that leadership, by doing just a tiny bit more than you did yesterday.
Probably, so many others are as well
Then realize that everyone you know might be a leader as well. Or you already know, because they are the first author you want to read after waking up.
Empower those leaders.
Check which witnesses are currently stepping up and are willing to work through the dirt, and cast your vote for them. Check which community people are trying to give pep-talks to all the Newbie Steemians, and support them by doing the same for one or two newbies yourself. Welcome people who just arrived on the blockchain and have no idea why their upvote is worth zero cents. Add your graphical skills to a new project you want to support. Record a video on why you believe in Steem's future. Ask a friendly developer if they're interested in helping you get your app idea 'launched' even though it's in a bare bones alpha version. Go through Github and see which tasks need to be done. Create your 'everyday' content, every day. Leave a simple uplifting comment at a befriended author, but also at an author you've never engaged with. Gather a team of people for a crowdfunding project that saves Steemit Inc or betters the onboarding process so we're close to reach mass adoption.
Don't put them on a pedestal or put all critiques on the one
Also, don't be afraid to submit a wishlist to @ned's inbox. Tell him what you want him to do as well. Because he's still one of our leaders, one that we should engage with like he should with us. I personally would love to see him make better use of the community. Ask us for more input. Ask us if he can borrow our skills, or if we are willing to use our network to achieve a certain goal. Give us some numbers to play with, like the man hours he needs to launch SMT's. Give us a list of tasks that we can do without having to know all the ins and outs of the development process per se.
Let him lead with us, and us with him.
Be a leader and support your leaders. Share with someone that you think they are a leader. Empower people. Ask leaders to be a little beter. Be(come) a leader yourself. Inspire your leaders, and let them inspire you.
Also, let me know: who is YOUR leader? And, how are YOU leading?
nice post @soyrosa! We can certainly all be leaders. I think to some it comes more naturally than to others. I am a boss (and i DON'T LIKE TOBE!), but since I have no choice I try to be the best possible boss I would want for myself. Someone who doesn't lose patience and always listens. Someone who doesn't give orders, but asks for favors and gives advice. I want people to want to work for me because they enjoy working with me. I myself want to be seen as an equal, so I treat myself as I would treat the people in my team. Many friendships were born from there, luckily =)
Actually I didn't feel that affected by the STEEM course but those last 36 hours have changed something about Steemit to me.
I don't mind the CEO being unseen if he has a strong team with him. Just hearing that number of 70% being laid off makes me wonder which roles are affected. There's obviously people being in the know about the changes in the focus of the company but those are not talked about (yet). Probably the next days will bring more insights - or the next months will.
I'm a little afraid for all those local communities which have built up all over the world. I don't think anyone considers the possibility that Steem(it) might not be there anymore one day.
I understand your worry but I also want to put in perspective: even if development stopped communities would survive and apps like Steemmonsters would still be able to grow and become bigger and more succesful than they are now.
Second, if you look at @ned's latest post: in 4,5 hours he will do a livestream - if you have some questions you can post them in the comment section and he will try to answer them during the livestream. I'm going to tune in for sure to see what I can learn from it :-)
And yes, I agree, the coming days and months we'll see how much we are able to achieve as a community. For me the challenge Steemit Inc is how they are going to invite us in and how they are going to let us help them ;-)
We need you ⭐️
And you. But yes, this post is also directed at myself and publishing it is part of my process of shaping my own role(s) in this great adventure.
I always admire your consistency and the dialogue you foster on your blog. You’re blog always reads like an invitation to stay awhile and you most certainly are a leader in this space. Keep rallying, @soyrosa!
Hmmm.... good points, @soyrosa
Who ARE my leaders?
@dreemsteem, with her vision to form @welcomewagon the project I am heavily involved in. We work hard at helping new Steemians, learning the ins and outs of Steemit, and Discord.
@shadowspub who dedicates her time and energy to providing the steemiverse with a fantastic outlet in The Ramble. Many of her shows can be found listed here
so MANY leaders, that these are but two to mention!
Those are some amazing leaders indeed @bluefinstudios! It sounds to me like you're a leader too buy being involved in the @welcomewagon as well. It's important to help New Steemians as they will be engaging users as long as they feel like they can 'belong'. Thanks for doing that <3
And yes, @shadowspub is a true leader too, I've heard a lot of good things about The Ramble (still have to attend my first one - shocker!) and the Witness gettogethers are pretty amazing as well.
Thanks for mentioning your favourites @bluefinstudios! It's important to show others who they are because they are the ones who are keeping us together in the rougher times.
thanks for the mentions @bluefinstudios and @soyrosa ... and you are right @bluefinstudios is leader. He's one of those quiet ones who leads by example and quietly gives 'attapersons' where they are needed. Well thought out suggestions are his stock in trade I think.
@shadowspub
The current Rambling Radio Schedule can be found here
It's All About Community!
It is US
It is. You're a leader as well @yidneth, I know a lot of people take inspiration from you <3
Awww aren't you sweet? Hugs
What a terrific post! I really like what you had to say, and buy in absolutely.
For several hours I've had a thing clanging in my head. "If not me, who. If not now, when?"
Thank you for the much needed perspective.
Thanks @bigtom13 - glad I could add some perspective to the lingering thoughts you've been walking around with the last few hours. You're always there to help and are always supporting people behind the scenes. Keep doing what you're doing!
This is an awesome and well written summation. If we want "decentralized" and to be part of governing our own path, then you can't stop and point fingers at one or two people. We all need to own it, and work for it. I'm new, so I don't have as much perspective or experience with the platform, but I totally agree with your assessment.
Thank you @blueeyes8960 - You seem to understand decentralization, so that’s a great first step, and even though you are new I believe you’re already ahead of many other on the platform! If you ever need advise or tips know that you can contact me, I will try to help as best as I can.
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That's very nice of you @soyrosa! It's heartening to know there are people like you who care. And, yes, lead!
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Excellent post! A decentralized system involves us all, disregarding the level of knowledge or involvevement. My leaders would be those who I have seen constantly working on Steemit on different projects, dedicating more than a few hours per day fo their visions; all trying to improve the platform or making it more friendly to others.
Thanks @lymepoet! I am totally in agreement on your definition of leaders - I believe especially in times when things are hard (now) we can distinguish the average user from the leader, the person who is involved and wants to put in time and effort to grow this place.
One of the last leaders (boss) I had was when I was doing an apprenticeship in an insurance company in Germany, when I was 16. When I got my degree 3 years later I knew thanks to that boss, that this is not what I wanted from my life. Even though those 3 years were hell it had such a positive impact on my future live. I packed up my things to become an Au Pair in the USA! Without this decision we probably would have never met! Also, you had a lot of bosses!!!!
YES! That's amazing, a less pleasant experience leading to something much greater and to have so much impact. I'm so glad you've found a better way to live your life :D Yes, I had 'many' bosses because on average I left any job after 18 months - lol.
You should write a book on bosses!
Stopping by to support one of your posts @soyrosa. I first went to the one on Genghis Khan (but it was past payout …), as I still recall the impression left on me of reading the biography of his life. What a "force of nature!"
Been years ago, but he set back the entire Moslem empire at the height of its Middle Ages glory. Why? One of the Persian (?) princes had humiliated some of his ambassadors sent to that part of the world. More than once. So … He sent one last ambassador with one last brief note, “… I am coming!” I don’t know if any more terrifying words were ever written, once history recorded was that resulted in. He moved the “Golden Horde” across the Himalayas, in the middle of winter and was on their “doorstep” the following Spring. He systematically decimated city, after city, even changing the course of rivers to flow over where once there had been a proud city …
Oh, wait! Yes, I am supposed to be commenting on this one ... And leadership ... 😊 And most likely not the kind displayed by Genghis Khan … 😉
In all seriousness, like you, I am still processing … I will be writing about this in my next post. And, for the first time, I have some real concerns about the future. Not intending to be too alarmist, as I am still here, but a lot for me to think about with all the news coming in, offers from BlockTrades to take over some aspects of development, etc. …
You write well about leaders. In my long career, I have served under many. Rare at the ones who you can admire and respect. Who can inspire us and bring out the best in us.
Far more common are the ones like the one I am now resolutely determined to get away from …
Well, gotta run. Until we “meet” again @soyrosa, all the best to you for a better tomorrow!
Hahaha - thanks for this comment @roleerob!
I'm glad you liked the Genghis Khan post - he was an amazing persona in our history and there's so many stories about this figure... I still need to read his biography - which one did you read? I'm sure it will speak to the imagination... You sort of 'feel' the history of the land when traveling through Mongolia. It's an amazing place to visit.
About leadership... Yes. Process. Write. I'm curious what your take is. I guess every leader in the end is just human and we project some sort of unrealistic expectations on them - they are never perfect, but neither are we if we expect them to be and are unwilling to share our insights. Of course, some are 'really bad', like the one you described in your post - if they make you sick you should get away from the as fast as you can :-)
Home after “another day in paradise” @soyrosa … And catching up a bit.
Just read, at a more leisurely pace, your Genghis Khan statue post. You must be quite the adventurer! Your profile indicates you are in the Netherlands. So … Mongolia is not just around the corner … 😉 You likely have another post somewhere about what inspired you to do this.
Great question. I wish I could answer, but it has been many years since I read it. As you can see from my original reply, though, it left a lasting impression. He was arguably the greatest military conqueror of all time. One more little tidbit, to whet your appetite to find his biography and read it, now that you have been in his homeland:
He was the son of the chief of his tribe and barely survived his childhood. As a young man (Temujin), he began to relentlessly and ruthlessly unite all of the other Mongolian tribes under one banner. During one of these tribal takeovers, the other tribe’s best warrior was surrounding by his men and prepared to fight to the death- Subutai. Genghis Khan spared his life and he became his greatest general.
In the campaign referenced above, Genghis Khan gave him his best warriors to pursue the Persian prince who had provoked him the most “to the ends of the earth.” Army after army was raised up by this man as he tried to escape. Subutai destroyed them all and pursued him to some island where he died or was killed (don’t remember) …
Later, Subutai led an invasion of Europe and was never defeated. He was steadily advancing, but finally turned away, when news reached him of the death of Genghis Khan …
So, how good is my memory? Well, if you ever find that biography and read it, then please tell me! 😉
I have supervised people since 1984 @soyrosa. First, I would say there is a very significant difference between the words leader and manager. I have been around some pretty good managers, which are comparatively more common. A good leader is rare ...
The best leaders inspire us to follow them. They lead by example. The don't just talk about it, they do it, i.e. they are people of integrity. The simplest definition of integrity? Your actions align very closely with your words. Ultimately builds the essential cornerstone of a great team - trust. Ever read the book, "The Speed of Trust?"
So ... Leaders inspire us to do what? The best leaders have a clear idea of where they are, where they want to be, and how they propose to get there. They have to be able to communicate the vision of what they see and encourage "the troops" through the inevitable challenges they will face along the way ...
An essential part of good communication is leaders need to be very good listeners and "receive" what was "sent." They are then very effective at taking anything remotely close to an objection or concern about whatever the latest challenge is and helping their team through it. How? By seeing it differently than they are capable of on their own ...
As for us here on the Steem blockchain - what kind of a man is Ned? And what about somebody named Dan? Don't personally know, as I have only been actively involved "in here" since May (never been online before May ...) and have not had the time to track any of it down. Likely you know far more about these people, as I see you were at SteemFest 3? What are your impressions of them?
Well, that's quick "off the top" and I could write for awhile, but don't wish to overdo it ... 😉
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Hey thanks @soyrosa. Very good team talk, inclluding the others like that. As a noob I'm still quite in the dark but you have given me a list of worthy team members to investigate and follow so a s to build up a Steem profile. I love Steem and hope to learn more as it allows me to express myself through written word on the eternal blockchain while attempting to earn Steem dollars as a secondary bonus. I'm keen to learn so open to any references you recommend to boost my knowledge of the workings of Steemit and how to grow here. Many thanks.
I'm glad to point you to some of the best leaders on Steem @julianhorack! There are many more, but this is a good start.
I started as a n00b here as well, always ask questions if you have them! Soon enough you will know a lot more about this place - there's a lot to learn!
Lol, that sounds great @soyrosa I have a hungry mind so always keen to learn and network with like minded souls anywhere in cyberspace and across the planet, like yourself.
The concept is great and very well needed if we want to ensure decentralization can be achieved with security and engagement. I think many will step up in the coming weeks as the need to provide solutions for a sustainable future will be worked on as a community by leveraging the skillsets of many of us herr.
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I believe many people are still sitting on their thoughts for the moment, but I've also seen people mentioning the things they want seen done / want to do themselves. It's a huge step to go from centralized to decentralized thinking, and maybe some 'crises' are necessary to give us a little kick forward. We'll have to see (but not passively if possible ;-)) what happens the coming days, weeks and months.
This is the important part of your post for me. I have a managers position so I have spent years leading teams and trying to grow and teach my staff. It takes time and patience but if you treat people fairly and work with them you can get the best out of most people. Ned has had to let go of staff, fair enough. We don't know but it could be 10-20 people.
What he needs to realise and we have seen it all over the place in the past day is that he has a community of thousands of smart, driven and willing people to help with the project. All he needs to do is ask and they will be there. If he layed out what needs to be done over the next 6 months and what he needs help with I guarantee the people would respond and divide up the work. I have no technical skill but I do know business, marketing and management. We do however have plenty on here with the developing skills to cover the work and who have volunteered to jump in. I just hope he can see that.
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That's it @niallon11 - I've never been a 'manager' but I have had a few team leader roles, and I've always been interested in seeing how I could get more out of the same people. The best thing is to ask them what they want to do and where they themselves think they should spend their time on. I honestly believe if Steemit Inc was willing to share the things that needed to be done and who was willing to pick up a few tasks we would make a huge jump forward in a short time. People love doing what they're good at.
I think we're pretty much in agreement on this point. Thanks for commenting :-)
I think we pretty much are on the same page for this one. If you motivate people to love what they do and let them enjoy it then they will throw themselves into the work. There are plenty of way to reward people without it being financial.
Estou de férias do steemit, mas, vim aqui comentar Soyrosa.
Você está linda, linda e linda na natureza. Seus olhos são muito bonitos!!
Bom dia!
I don't lead or follow, I just row row row my boat gently down the stream.
I'm sure you're not aware some are taking your example... ;-)
Thank you for your continued support of SteemSilverGold
Well said! Great attitude and awesome perspective.
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Thanks @nateaguila! I appreciate the comment :-)
Thank you for mentioning us! We are definitely trying to improve the user experience and bring more people onboard!
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Yes, I love how you guys are showing your involvement! It's always 'hard' if you're a 'brand' or 'app' without a personal face / one Steemian you know you have conversations with, but you guys are showing you have people behind the screens who are excited to work and engage with the community - I love that.
Glad you like that!
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Thank you @soyrosa - powerful post and even more powerful words!
Thanks @therealwolf, much appreciated!
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awesome post, new follower .. let's rock STEEM back up ,,, decentralized or bust ! (-:
Wh00p! Thanks @clumsysilverdad! I'm always excited and nervous when a post gives me a new follower, will they be disappointed by my next one! :') (Kidding, of course, well, it's true a bit too.) But yes, let's rock STEEM back up, tune in to the livestream in 4,5 hours and see what @ned has to say!
Very well stated, good on you for allowing yourself to be helped... sign of a true leader may I dare say?
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I do believe the best leaders don't want to do things alone too much :-) Thanks for you comment @d00k13!
Wow... This post alone makes YOU a leader!!!! Keep going!!!
Thanks @bjornb! I will :D
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I like how you take the concept to the next level, we most contribute to the development of this platform and why not.. ourselves, this can be a challenge for some of us
Absolutely true @victoria7!
Excellent post! A decentralized system involves us all, disregarding the level of knowledge or involvevement. My leaders would be those who I have seen constantly working on Steemit on different projects, dedicating more than a few hours per day fo their visions; all trying to improve the platform or making it more friendly to others.