Leadership Article No 7: Growing the Leader in Us

[Guest guest]

Growing the Leader in Us

Leadership is a verb….not a noun. Leadership is action…..not a position.

Leadership is defined by what we do…..not the role we are in.

Leadership isn't the private reserve of a few charismatic men and women.

It's a process ordinary people use when they're bringing forth the best from

themselves and others. Liberate the leader in everyone……… and extraordinary

things begin to happen.

Some people in "leadership roles" are excellent leaders. But too many are

bosses, "snoopervisors," technocrats, bureaucrats, managers, commanders,

chiefs, and the like. Conversely, many people who have no formal leadership role

are excellent leaders.

To lead is to show the way by going in advance. To lead is to guide or

direct a course of action. To lead is to influence the behavior or opinion of

others. In today's fast changing world, we all need to be leaders……. regardless

of our formal title or role. This starts with inner self-leadership and

moves outward to influence, guide, support, and lead others. The process of

becoming a leader is the same as the process of becoming a highly effective human

being. Leadership development is personal development. Leadership ultimately

shows itself in what we do "out there"………..but it starts "in here." It would

be easy if we could all become leaders by following a simple set of steps.

But the journey of personal growth means finding our own way.

There are, however, six critical areas of personal development based on

timeless principles. The distance we need to grow along each leadership dimension

will differ for each of us…..but defining and continually growing along

each of these paths is the way of the leader.

Strong leaders are well-rounded and constantly expanding their personal

leadership across these key areas:

* Choose Not to Lose

Whether we choose to focus on our problems or our possibilities is a key

leadership issue. When we are faced with obstacles and failure…. those who can

overcome adversity and learn from their experiences, turning them into

opportunities, are the ones who will be truly successful.

* Focus and Context

THE CORE OF MY BEING: This is central to our growth along all the other

dimensions. Our Focus and Context is shaped by three vital questions: Where am I

going? (my vision)…….What do I believe in? (my principles and values) and……

..Why do I exist? (my purpose or mission).

* Taking Responsibility

IF IT'S TO BE, IT'S UP TO ME: Leadership means accepting responsibility for

our choices in life. Leaders realise that life accumulates, that choice more

than chance determines their circumstances. They refuse to succumb to the

"Victimitus Virus" ("it's all their fault" and "there's nothing I can do")..

· Authenticity

GETTING REAL: Leadership isn't just what we do…….it's something that we

are, which then drives what we do. Genuine leadership comes from within. It's

authentic…..and based on honesty, integrity, and trust. We must ring true to

ourselves by exploring our inner space, gathering feedback on our personal

behavior, and ensuring consistency with our stated values and principles.

· Passion and Commitment

BEYOND NEAR-LIFE EXPERIENCES: Successful people are energised by a love for

what they do because it brings them ever closer to who they are. They

overcome apathy and cynicism…..develop a burning commitment to their cause, and

with discipline …… achieve their dreams and desires.

· Spirit and Meaning

WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL: What is the purpose of our work……of our lives?

Material success alone is not enough. Leaders seek within …..and find

something more. In what is too often a mad dash from cradle to grave, we need to

take time …..in work and life ……to nourish our inner selves.

· Growing and Developing

FROM PHASE OF LIFE TO WAY OF LIFE: The popular goals of security, stability,

and predictability are deadly. The closer we get to these dangerous goals,

the more our growth is stunted. True and lasting security comes from constant

growth and development….based on regular R&R (reflection and renewal).

* Mobilising and Energising

PUTTING EMOTIONS IN MOTION: Leaders do not motivate with rewards and

punishments. Whether at home or in the workplace….they energise people to motivate

themselves. Highly effective leaders boost the energy of others with their

passion and appreciation. They engage people's hearts as well as their minds.

They get them involved and participating. They actively nurture the "being"

or culture of the group……not just the "doing".

The more the world changes, the more leadership principles stay the same.

Leadership principles are timeless. And they apply to all of us, no matter

what role we play in society or organisations.

Excerpted from Jim Clemmer's ‘Growing the Distance: Timeless Principles

for Personal, Career, and Family Success.’

Remain Blessed!

 

 

Duty is God, Work is Worship

[Guest guest]

I really enjoy your articles & this one really touched the 'nerve'!

 

Yes, leadership is truly defined by our actions and not by

our 'title'.

 

I find that every point in your msg is very pertinent to each &

everyone of us in our daily mundane lives too. Leadership has to

begin with ourselves in the first instance. Unless we learn to lead

ourselves how can we expect to lead others?

 

On reflection one will see that every point here has been covered by

Swami over the years.

 

A lot of food for thought here child.

 

With love & blessings,

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

 

 

, MadhviSai wrote:

>

>     

> 

> 

> Growing  the Leader in Us

> Leadership  is a verb….not a noun. Leadership is action…..not

a position.

> Leadership  is defined by what we do…..not the role we are  in. 

> Leadership  isn't the private reserve of a few charismatic men and

women.

> It's a  process ordinary people use when they're bringing forth

the best from 

> themselves and others. Liberate the leader in everyone………

and  extraordinary

> things begin to happen. 

> Some people  in "leadership roles" are excellent leaders. But too

many are

> bosses,  "snoopervisors," technocrats, bureaucrats, managers,

commanders,

> chiefs,  and the like. Conversely, many people who have no formal

leadership role 

> are excellent leaders. 

> To lead is  to show the way by going in advance. To lead is to

guide or

> direct a  course of action. To lead is to influence the behavior

or opinion of 

> others. In today's fast changing world, we all need to be 

leaders……. regardless

> of our formal title or role. This starts with inner  self-

leadership and

> moves outward to influence, guide, support, and lead  others. The

process of

> becoming a leader is the same as the process of  becoming a highly

effective human

> being. Leadership development is  personal development. Leadership

ultimately

> shows itself in what we do  "out there"………..but it

starts "in here." It would

> be easy if we  could all become leaders by following a simple set

of steps.

> But the  journey of personal growth means finding our own way.  

> There are,  however, six critical areas of personal development

based on

> timeless  principles. The distance we need to grow along each

leadership dimension

>  will differ for each of us…..but defining and continually

growing along 

> each of these paths is the way of the  leader.

> Strong  leaders are well-rounded and constantly expanding their

personal 

> leadership across these key areas:

>     *   Choose Not to Lose 

> Whether we  choose to focus on our problems or our possibilities

is a key

> leadership  issue. When we are faced with obstacles and

failure…. those who can 

> overcome adversity and learn from their experiences, turning  them

into

> opportunities, are the ones who will be truly  successful.

>     *   Focus and  Context

> THE CORE OF  MY BEING: This is central to our growth along all the

other

> dimensions.  Our Focus and Context is shaped by three vital

questions: Where am I 

> going? (my vision)…….What do I believe in? (my principles and

values)  and……

> .Why do I exist? (my purpose or  mission).

>     *   Taking Responsibility 

> IF IT'S TO  BE, IT'S UP TO ME: Leadership means accepting

responsibility for

> our  choices in life. Leaders realise that life accumulates, that

choice  more

> than chance determines their circumstances. They refuse to succumb

to  the

> "Victimitus Virus" ("it's all their fault" and "there's  nothing I

can do").

> ·         Authenticity

> GETTING  REAL: Leadership isn't just what we do……..it's

something that we

> are, which  then drives what we do. Genuine leadership comes from 

within. It's

> authentic…..and based on honesty,  integrity, and trust. We must

ring true to

> ourselves by exploring our  inner space, gathering feedback on our

personal

> behavior, and ensuring  consistency with our stated values and 

principles.

> ·         Passion and  Commitment

> BEYOND  NEAR-LIFE EXPERIENCES: Successful people are energised by

a love for

> what  they do because it brings them ever closer to who they are.

They

> overcome  apathy and cynicism…..develop a burning commitment to

their cause, and 

> with discipline …… achieve their dreams and  desires.

> ·         Spirit and  Meaning

> WITH ALL MY  HEART AND SOUL: What is the purpose of our

work……of our lives?

> Material  success alone is not enough. Leaders seek within

…..and find 

> something more. In what is too often a mad dash from cradle to

grave, we  need to

> take time …..in work and life ……to nourish our inner 

selves.

> ·         Growing and Developing

> FROM PHASE  OF LIFE TO WAY OF LIFE: The popular goals of security,

stability,

> and  predictability are deadly. The closer we get to these

dangerous goals,

> the  more our growth is stunted. True and lasting security comes

from  constant

> growth and development….based on regular R&R  (reflection and

renewal).

>     *   Mobilising and Energising 

> PUTTING  EMOTIONS IN MOTION:  Leaders  do not motivate with

rewards and

> punishments. Whether at  home or in the workplace….they energise

people to motivate

>  themselves. Highly effective leaders boost the energy of  others

with their

> passion and appreciation. They engage people's hearts as  well as

their minds.

> They get them involved and participating. They  actively nurture

the "being"

> or culture of the group……not just the  "doing".

> The more the  world changes, the more leadership principles stay

the same.

> Leadership  principles are timeless. And they apply to all of us,

no  matter

> what role we play in society or  organisations.

> Excerpted  from Jim Clemmer's  ‘Growing  the Distance: Timeless

Principles

> for Personal, Career, and Family  Success.’ 

> Remain  Blessed!

>

>

> Duty is God, Work is Worship

>