Bridging the Gap: How to Cultivate Leadership Qualities in Today's World
Written by Catherine Koverola, PhD
A colleague recently shared a Welsh proverb with me: “A fo ben, bid bont,” which translates into, “If you want to be a leader—be a bridge.” The Welsh saying encapsulates the idea that effective leadership involves bridging gaps between people or groups, connecting them and facilitating understanding and communication.
As I mulled over it, I was struck by the truth in this simple phrase. What if more leaders were like bridges? Could we work more effectively towards solutions to the many societal challenges we face?
Bridges come in many shapes and forms:
heavy duty industrial bridges that cross rivers as mighty as the Mississippi;
railroad bridges built upon crisscrossing wooden trellises over craggy mountain passes;
romantic wooden covered bridges that dot the New England landscape;
makeshift log bridges thrown across a creek by adolescent boys;
a graceful brick arch over a lily pond as depicted in a Monet painting;
a formidable cement structure that traverses a former riverbed in East Los Angeles;
a rickety wooden suspension bridge over a ravine in the lush rainforest of the Pacific Northwest.
Bridges are as varied as the bodies of water they cross.
Regardless of their structure, all bridges serve the same purpose: to connect one side to the other. A bridge allows traffic to flow freely. A bridge provides support, the scaffolding and opportunity for safe passage. The bridge selflessly bears the weight of those who travel across it.
As I think more about the function of the bridge, the meaning of the Welsh proverb becomes clear. This is exactly what an effective leader does—an effective leader lays themselves down in service of the other, in service of those who are being led.
Yet leaders are often portrayed as the head of the pack—the powerful one who’s in charge and simply exerts authority or control. This is a stark contrast to the effective leader who is a bridge—the servant leader who humbly finds a way to connect disparate viewpoints and cultures. The leader who, by their quiet strength and very presence makes connection and understanding possible.
The bridge is not afraid of the water that swirls beneath it, however stormy the weather, because she knows her own strength and she knows that others are counting on her for safe passage.
Tips for effective leadership:
Facilitate the flow of ideas and communication by making sure all perspectives get heard and are respected.
Encourage teamwork and cooperation by promoting shared goals and connecting the dots that don’t seem obvious to others.
Lead by example and create an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and appreciated for their unique contributions.
By embodying the qualities of a bridge—support, connectivity, and facilitating passage—leaders can promote unity, collaboration, and progress.
If you want to be a leader—be a bridge.
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