Juneteenth is a good time for leaders to declare their Leadership Freedom.  Some leaders struggle with many factors that cause leadership power to be subjugated by their own personal tyrannies.  But first, let me give some background on this joyous celebration of African-American heritage.

Juneteenth, recognized on June 19, commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas in 1865.  During the US Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862.  It declared that effective January 1, 1863 all slaves were to be freed in the Confederate States of America.  Even after the ending of military hostilities Texas, as a part of the former Confederacy, did not comply with the Emancipation Proclamation.  Federal troops arrived in Texas on June 18 with an intent to take over the state and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.  The next day Union General Gordon Granger made this announcement and slaves were informed of their freedom and advised how to conduct themselves going forward.

And so as it pertains to leadership, what are the things that cause us to not recognize our leadership freedom? Let’s talk about three things: fear, oppression, and ignorance.

Fear.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”  — Marianne Williamson

Fear keeps us in bondage.  Overcoming fear gives us courage.  Fear makes us terrified to move forward and paralyzed into inaction.  As a former Federal CIO, I noted that we all had so many things to fear.  We were frightened by the enormity of our challenges, the rock and hard places of political no-win scenarios, and the boogie-man of unpopular decisions.

Michael Bloomberg said, “If you don’t encounter setbacks in your career, you’re not dreaming big enough.” Fear of professional setbacks is the biggest obstacle for many executive careers.  Dreams – big dreams — unshackle us from the restraints that extinguish our passion for success.

Oppression.

Oppression weighs down our minds and our bodies.  Overcoming oppression makes us strong.  As an Emily Dickenson says, ““People need hard times and oppression to develop psychic muscles.”

I recently had arthroscopic surgery on my knee.  After the surgery, my muscles were so weak, it was difficult to find the strength to walk up and down the stairs or even to stand up.  Eventually, exercise made my muscles stronger.  I had even more success by adding some resistance in weight training to develop those long-neglected muscles in my thighs.

Once we defeat fear and walk forward, we will likely meet the opposing forces of adversity.  By fighting and defeating these forces, we become stronger leaders.  We begin to acquire the leadership qualities of resilience, wisdom, and stamina.

Ignorance.

Ignorance comes from lack of awareness, experience, or knowledge.  It’s not a measurement of one’s intellect or academic pedigree, it’s the action of the humble servant leader who seeks to grow and learn. Overcoming ignorance requires hindsight, foresight, and insight – learning from mistakes, anticipating possibilities, and gaining an understanding that isn’t so readily apparent.   In the Bible, the book of Proverbs tells us that, “my people perish from lack of knowledge.” An ignorant leader will ultimately perish and no doubt take a few followers with them.

Leaders should make every day their Leadership Emancipation Day.  Assert your spiritual freedom and celebrate your leadership.