Doing anything for the purpose of being a “leader” (or attempting to show up as one) or because you think you should just because of your position (like feeling the urge to say something just because you think people are expecting you to) is not leading at all in my interpretation. And it can be dangerous.

What I am attempting to point to are those times when you feel that “being on the edge of your seat” kind of feeling because you see an action to take, or something to say that could contribute, that could move something forward. But you don’t always act. Sometimes it is a mindful choice. Yet many times something holds people back from acting on the “urge” as I have called it here.

Gwyn acted on that feeling for a purpose. Tom in essence shared that he often does step up when he feels compelled to even when he planned not to. They are the likely leaders.

I’ll suggest though that a lot of people see the opportunity to act or speak up to contribute and are more likely to feel the urge to do so when it is really important to them. Gwyn and Tom choose to take action when others would refrain due to fear, or a lack of self confidence, etc.

I think people have more opportunities than they may think to lead – that they feel it in moments and even see the specific opportunities, but for whatever reason they don’t take action. I want to give people an access to recognizing those moments of opportunity to lead so they can be awake to choosing in the face of whatever their considerations might be.

I am not sure I would actually call those in the “arm chair” leaders unless they choose to act even in small ways. Yet I do aim to find ways to motivate more people to get out of their “arm chairs”!

What I work to get people past is when they feel compelled to contribute, see a specific opportunity to do so, and it really matters to them, but they hold themselves back because of considerations that more often than not are based in fear and uncertainty.