LEADERSHIP: STANDING IN THE SPACE BETWEEN

I recently came across this striking passage from Mary Lou Anderson’s 1970 House of Delegates address, and it resonated deeply:

"Leaders are called to stand

In that lonely place

Between the no longer and the not yet

And intentionally make decisions

That will bind, forge, move,

And create history.

We are not called to be popular,

We are not called to be safe,

We are not called to follow.

We are the ones called to take risks,

We are the ones called to change attitudes,

To risk displeasure,

We are the ones called to gamble our lives

For a better world."

This is leadership in its raw, courageous form — the kind that doesn’t wait for crisis to act but is always listening, learning, and mobilizing.

Too often, we believe we only need leaders when problems arise. But true leadership isn’t reactive. It’s a continuous practice. It’s about separating the tools from the task, and anchoring leadership in the work that must be done — especially when that work is difficult, ambiguous, or unpopular.

Great leaders aren’t those who do all the work themselves, but those who mobilize others to rise to the challenge — even when the path forward is uncertain.

Leadership Is Practice, Not Position

To lead well, one must practice — not just hold a title. Leadership is a discipline honed in everyday conversations, observations, and interactions. Each encounter is an opportunity to collect insight, read the room, and respond with intention.

Successful leadership is not about control or charisma. It’s about presence and purpose. It is built on four foundational traits:

● A Clear Vision

Knowing where you're headed, and being able to articulate why it matters.

● The Ability to Empower a Team

Leadership is not about doing it all — it’s about enabling others to thrive.

● Active Listening Skills

Hearing more than words — listening for insight, resistance, and hidden voices.

● A Healthy Dose of Humility

The willingness to admit you don’t have all the answers, and the courage to learn from others.

One Million Realities

What if the true purpose of leadership was not just to hit goals, but to transform one million realities?

That’s the kind of leadership we need today — one that doesn’t play it safe, but stands in that “lonely place between the no longer and the not yet” and chooses to lead anyway.

Because leadership is not a destination. It’s a decision, made again and again, to serve, to mobilize, and to risk discomfort for the sake of something greater.