Leadership is like balloons

Leadership is like balloons. They can come in a spectrum of colors: red, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and blue. Some balloons stretch to their limit and then snap back to their original shape. Other balloons fill up with different types of substances like water, air, and rocks. 

A single balloon does not represent the same scale and size as if you had a thousand balloons tied together to form a community.  The more color, shapes, and sizes the more diverse the balloons. It is in their diversity that makes balloons all the more beautiful. Balloons are empty until filled and outside material substances can ultimately change their direction and purpose. 

Here are three leadership lessons from Hasan Harnett about balloons.

1) Be flexible in your leadership. Change is one of the most difficult things we face in life as leaders. It is important to have firm goals but stay flexible enough in achieving them. 

Albert Einstein said "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."

Jacqueline Carey stated "That which yields is not always weak."

2) Embrace diversity and the differences among your followers. Diversity represents the complex expressions of each person tied together for a common purpose. Remember to approach life with the same attitude in mind. Accepting your encounters with diversity is a learning opportunity. Respond appropriately.

Henry David Thoreau said "It is never too late to give up prejudices."

Stephen Covey said "Strength lies in differences not, in similarities."

Malcolm Forbes stated "Diversity is the art of thinking independently together."

3) Fill your mind with the right material substances. You can fill your leadership much like a balloon with whatever you choose. However, whatever you put in your balloon determines your leadership trajectory. In general, balloons filled with water become heavy and fall to the ground. Balloons filled with air become light and float better. Balloons filled with rocks sink. 

Every day you are at the beginning of a new leadership journey by which you must make decisions about your why and purpose. Success is only a decision away. I urge you to make your choices wisely.