Matthew,

I really appreciated your perspective on the story of David E. Lilienthal (Watson, 1951). I wrote about the same story and feel like my understanding of it was furthered by reading your reflection. I really appreciated the perspective of “leading through changing environments” (MATTHEW, 2018). The context in which Lilienthal was leading was one where crisis had recently hit and he had the difficult task of leading through the changes that occurred as a result of it. It is in times of crisis that “followers experience intense uncertainty and seek for sources of protection and guidance, that leaders are required to step in and find appropriate ways to alleviate fears, restore a sense normalcy, and maintain effective functioning” (Jungbauer, 2016). Lilienthal was able to do exactly this through the message he wrote. He seemed to embody the servant leadership characteristic of healing (Spears, 2010) by inspiring those who read his message towards a vision of a bright future.

I agree with you that part of how he was able to do this was by not letting fear control him (MATTHEW, 2018). I completely agree with you, that “it never ceases to amaze me just how often the capacity to innovate becomes stifled in the presence of gripping fear” (MATTHEW, 2018). Research found that fear was “the biggest roadblock to innovation” (Morrison & Milliken, as cited in Williams & Scott, 2012). When I look at my own life and leadership I can see where there have been times where I have let fear win over innovation. I think as leaders we have to constantly push ourselves to continue moving towards the futures we envision regardless of the fear that might exist. We must learn “that courage was [is] not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear” (Mandela, n.d.). As we continue on in this leadership journey I think we all have to find ways to conquer our fears and lead boldly.

References

Jungbauer, K.-L. (2016). Leading in times of crisis [Abstract]. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsndl&AN=edsndl.oai.union.ndltd.org.DRESDEN.oai.qucosa.de.bsz.14-qucosa-197408&site=eds-live

Mandela, N. (n.d.). Nelson Mandela: 11 inspirational quotes to live your life by [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/nelson-mandela-10-inspirational-quotes-to-live-your-life-by-8988290.html

MATTHEW. (2018, November 25). Light from many lamps – Part five [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://create.twu.ca/fourwinds/2018/11/25/light-from-many-lamps-part-five/

Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from many lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Willians, D. K., & Scott, M. M. (2012, December 10). Conquering the enemies of innovation: Silence and fear. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2012/12/conquering-the-enemies-of-inno