Leadership Triggers - Are You in Or Out?

Leadership is a transitory state that I call theresolution. For others, the zone is not tied to
Leadership Zone. We move into the zone or out itspecific issues and they tend to stay in the zone
based on whether or not certain triggers orfor longer periods of time.
conditions exist. Everyone's Leadership Zone isOther leaders: Is there anyone else playing a
different and so are our triggers. One of the goalsleadership role? The presence of others assuming
I have in coaching is to get people to expand theira leadership role can affect whether someone
zone by expanding the triggers that help themsteps into the zone. Someone may think that if
move into it. In my work, I have found there aresomeone else is providing leadership there is no
generally 5 themes that act as triggers.compelling reason for me to do it. Other individuals
Invitation: Some people will move into the zonefeel the more leadership that is present, the
only when they are invited or nominated bybetter. Having multiple individuals exercising
someone else. They feel most comfortable whenleadership is positive as long as there is good
someone asks them or encourages them to stepalignment between the leaders.
into a leadership role. Other people areDisposition: Personality can play a big role in the
self-nominating. They proactively put themselvesLeadership Zone. Some people by their very
into the zone by choosing to act.nature tend to seek out and move into the zone
Expertise: Many people step into the zone onlyand feel very comfortable in it. They have a
when it relates directly to a perceived area ofhistory of taking leadership roles and find it
expertise or competence. For example, if theygratifying. Others are more reluctant leaders.
are technical experts, they step into the zoneThey may be shy or uncomfortable in the role.
around technical issues. Others will step into theFor them to move into the role means
zone in areas that they are not an expert, orovercoming personal barriers or dealing with
even in areas that they may be uncomfortableperceived risks. It can take an act of will or
with.personal discipline for them to step into the role.
Issue driven: People can step into the zone toBy knowing your Leadership Zone triggers you
solve a problem and then exit the zone when thecan consciously activate them and expand them
problem is solved. Or, a particular kind of issueto improve the amount of time you spend in the
that is important to them can trigger their entry.zone and your overall impact.
Their zone is very transitory and tied to