Will you be more than a subscriber?
why you should consider putting some skin in the game.
The one question I have thought about most over the last year is: Why would someone choose to subscribe to my Substack? Honestly, it’s the reason I didn’t relaunch this sooner. I just simply didn’t have a good answer. But about two months ago, it hit me square in the face like Paul on the road to Damascus. (Ok, not that dramatic.) That’s the moment I realized this wasn’t just a way to share my thoughts and sketches, it had become something much deeper...actually, let me back-up.
The first version of Drawn to Lead lasted about 8 posts. I took high-level leadership concepts and tied them into my own framework, the leadership sliders with visuals I created. Valid ideas. Solid framework. But at the end of the day, it was just another leadership philosophy in a sea of thousands. Not necessarily bad, but it didn’t get to the heart of what I actually wanted do: give actionable advice to help leaders grow. So I stopped.
Although I had started with the best intentions, my posts mirrored most leadership content out there: generic frameworks that are nearly impossible to put into practice. Often high-level, idealistic, and hard to remember, let alone implement, especially when you are just trying to get through your actual job. This has always been a core frustration of mine, and now I was contributing to it!
THE SHIFT
“So if most leadership content missed the mark for me, how did I actually learn to lead?”
This question stopped me in my tracks. Because the content I was creating was mimicking what I was seeing out there, not following how I learned to lead in the first place. When I looked back on my journey, I realized the two things that had a biggest impact on my growth were EXPERIENCE (ie. failing a lot) and BOOKS.
“Books? Wait. Didn’t you just say leadership content wasn’t great?”
Chill out, let me explain. 😁 There are so many different types of leadership content out there. Articles, listicals, podcasts, videos, courses, etc. Most of these provide you with an idea or learning, maybe a story, and then sends you on your way. Just a quick hit of “that makes sense” before you scroll to the next thing.
Books are different. Books have the ability to make you slow down. But they aren’t perfect either. Too often authors have one core idea that they restate a bunch and the stuff it full of stories. And when I read on my own, these ideas would still go in one ear and out the other. The books would end up on a shelf looking impressive, and two weeks later I couldn’t tell you what it was actually about. Which is fine if you’re reading for fun. Not so great if you’re trying to grow as a leader.
I realized that the magic actually happened when I was surrounded by other people engaging with the same material. Talking through it. Writing about it. Sitting with it long enough to ask, “Ok, but how does this apply to what I’m dealing with right now?” And then trying to put it into practice (this is the part most people skip), seeing what worked, and being honest about what didn’t.
That was the difference maker!
MY MANIFESTO
And that’s when it snapped into place. What I was being drawn to. Not creating more leadership content. Simplifying it. Not just giving a set of pretty notes. Making trusted ideas actionable. That’s when this became more than just an idea. A purpose? Maybe. A passion project? Definitely. So what is Drawn to Lead? Here is my manifesto:
Over the next 12 months, I am going to be going through one book, each month focusing on one principle. It sounds simple, but there are a few layers that I want you to consider.
The first is the curated book list. Nearly all of the books that have impacted me most weren’t ones I stumbled across on my own. Someone I trusted put them in my hands at the right moment. Recommendations are powerful. They come with context and credibility that browsing Amazon just doesn’t have. And I have 12 solid recommendations coming your way.
Second, I plan to simplify each book into one actionable principle, and make it visual. Each book will have a fill-in-the-blank sketchnote, so you have something to print out and hold onto after you’ve read it. A visual anchor you can come back to. (And yes, I do want you to read the actual book.)
I’ll also be sharing my own experiences, and those of other fellow leaders, as we go through each book: the moments where the principles clicked for us, how we tried to apply them, and, more often than not, how we got it wrong before we got it right.
Third, and honestly the part I think matters most, I want you to journal through it. I’ll be creating printable questions designed to help you think through how the ideas apply to your specific situation. Not generic reflection prompts. Real questions that push you to actually apply what you’re reading.
The goal is slowing down and diving deep together. That’s what I hope Drawn to Lead becomes. It’s what I hope you choose to join.
Why have a Paid Tier?
Lastly, you’ve probably heard the expression “putting skin in the game.” That’s the primary reason I am adding a paid tier. Because honestly I want more than subscribers. I want people who want to walk this journey with me. Dig into these books. Wrestle with the ideas and grow as leaders. Choosing to become a paid subscriber puts just a little bit of motivation to actually read the books, watch the videos, download the content and fill out the journals. I hope you will consider it just for that purpose alone.
As always, most of my content will be free, but I hope you will consider putting a few chips on the table and leaning in more.
More to come.
Kacy @ Drawn to Lead