Welcome to the Built For The Trades podcast! I’m your host, Dan Dowdy, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s been on my mind and has been shared in recent talks. The title is “A Year of Two Paths,” throughout this podcast; I aim to teach you what it looks like to take the hard, easy path of leading leaders.
Before we delve into the concept of the two paths, let me remind you that Built For The Trades is a community of like-minded individuals in the trades who are dedicated to bettering themselves and those around them, living a life of integrity, and excelling in their endeavors. If you resonate with this, welcome to the community! Please like, subscribe, and share this podcast with a friend who could benefit from it, as we believe that leadership is a lifelong journey with no final destination.
To set the stage for our discussion, let me share Robert Frost’s famous poem, “The Road Not Taken.” It speaks of two diverging paths in a wood, and the poet chooses the less traveled one, ultimately making all the difference. This imagery beautifully illustrates our life choices: the easy, familiar path or the challenging, less explored one.
Most tend to follow the path of least resistance, much like a river flowing downstream. However, a few courageous individuals are willing to stand against the current, walk upstream, and embrace the hard path of leadership. The complex course involves discipline, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, trying new things, standing up for beliefs, and embracing new challenges.
A century ago, people had to be dynamic and resourceful to survive, but in the modern age, complacency and laziness can creep in, given the comforts of society. However, those who dare to embrace the complicated path find opportunities for growth and success amidst the challenges.
What does it mean to take the leader’s path? It starts with knowing you grow and extends to understanding your team to develop. Leaders communicate effectively, appreciate their team members and foster relationships. Built For The Trades uses the Enneagram assessment to help individuals understand strengths, weaknesses, and communication styles.
On the other hand, the follower path represents the easy, arduous path. Followers tend to stick to their comfort zones, treating others as they’ve always been treated and ignoring their blind spots. This leads to stagnation and a need for growth.
The leader path is marked by being goal and growth-focused. Leaders set ambitious goals and continuously strive to learn and improve, even in the face of failures. They live outside their comfort zones, embrace change, and seek consistency in their efforts.
In contrast, the follower path is characterized by a lack of time management, inconsistency, and resistance to change. Followers are content with their routines and often fear the unknown, hindering their personal and professional growth.
Leaders invest time and effort in developing their team and themselves, seeking to create a strong foundation for future success. They value presence, empathy, and engagement in building relationships, understanding that every interaction offers opportunities to learn and grow.
Conversely, followers often find themselves trapped in busy routines, overwhelmed by tasks, and missing out on meaningful connections with others. They need to gain the foresight to realize the importance of investing in their team and personal development.
In conclusion, both paths have consequences—hard now, easy later for the leader path, and easy now, hard later for the follower path. However, choosing the complicated, accessible leadership path means taking the higher calling, setting ambitious goals, and striving for consistent growth.
As you embark on your journey, remember that embracing the path less taken is an intentional decision. Embrace change, acknowledge failures, and seek personal growth. Your commitment to leadership will lead to your success and uplift those around you, creating a positive impact in your organization and community.
So, are you ready to take the hard, accessible leadership path? It’s time to step up, lead by example, and inspire others to follow in your footsteps. Embrace the challenges, knowing they will mold you into a better, more robust, and more influential leader.
Thank you for tuning in to the Built For The Trades podcast. We appreciate your support and encourage you to check out our website, billforthetrades.com, for more valuable leadership and personal growth resources.
About Dan
Dan Dowdy has over 20 years of trade experience that he utilizes to share simple tricks and tools for creating a successful business. His podcast platform, “Built for the Trades,” helps the listener better understand the employer/employee working relationship and other tradesperson dynamics from a leadership position. Check out Dan’s plethora of knowledge to reduce chaos in the work environment and create a progressive work atmosphere. Trade on!
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