“There exists in the world a single path alone which no one can go except you:  whither does it lead?  Do not ask, go along it.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Last week in this space the conversation was around the idea that greatness can’t happen without energy, and energy can’t happen without passion.  None of us can ever be much more than average if we’re not on fire about what we’re doing.

So, what exactly should we be doing?  For starters, there shouldn’t be a “we” in that question.  There isn’t some group answer.  As much as we can learn from what others do, and from studying the successes of others, we can’t and shouldn’t try to replicate it.

You road to success as a leader is something unique to you.  It’s the road you’re uniquely wired for, uniquely gifted for, and nobody else can drive on it.  Just you.  If anybody else tries, they will fail, probably miserably.

What does that road look like for you?  For starters, think about the work that energizes you.  When you’re working and hours go by that feel like minutes, what exactly are you doing?  Who are you doing that work for?  Are you doing that work by yourself?  If other people are involved, who are they?

Maybe that’s hard to think of.  OK, then think of the opposite.  When you’re working and minutes go by that feel like hours, what exactly are you doing?  Sometimes the first steps towards understanding what you want are figuring out what you don’t want.  Sometimes understanding your No helps you find your Yes (thanks McConaughey).

Whatever your road is, only you can walk it, and you can’t walk anybody else’s.  As a leader, that means that while you can get input and seek wise counsel, in the end, the way you handle a situation or a conversation or whatever else needs to be authentically you.  It needs to come from the road only you can be on.

Find your road.  Eliminate the detours and the side roads and the wrong turns, and be the leader only you are meant to be.