Leadership. The word itself automatically conjures up images of heroic figures, strong and powerful, and most of us do not see ourselves fitting the bill. What does it really mean to be a leader?
Have you ever helped someone else to feel better about themselves or a situation they are facing? You are a leader. Have you ever stepped up and taken on a role as fundraiser, campaign organizer, or donated money to a cause you believe in? You are a leader. Have you ever just simply been there for a friend when they are in need? You are a leader.
The whole idea of leadership is one that has been blown up to such proportions that we do not see the simple acts of leadership that we perform in our own lives. If you have ever taken action to improve the life of one other human being, animal, the environment, etc.- you are a leader.
The key word is action. Leaders don't sit back and wait for others to do something, they get involved. They may not even want to, but they simply cannot sit back and do nothing when something needs to be done. There are two kinds of leadership- leadership of self, and leadership of others. The second does not usually happen until the first one does. If you cannot lead yourself, you cannot lead others. What does it mean to lead oneself? Simply to not be at the whim of your emotions, your fears, or the whims of others. To have a degree of self -control, to be able to do what is necessary even when you don't feel like it. This is not always easy. A daily self- discipline like meditation, martial arts, tai-chi, or yoga help to gain self-control and balance.
The most challenging aspect to gain mastery over for anyone, even leaders, is fear. Any activity which makes one confront his or her fear is useful, and can be the difference between being able to act despite fear, and get results, or to be stopped from acting by fear, and live in frustration and unfulfillment. There are many ways to face fear, skydiving, swimming with sharks, climbing mountains- but all of these are extreme and can actually put your life at risk. This path is not for everyone, and in fact is only for a few "live on the edge" extreme adventurers. So what can the rest of us do to learn to face and tame our fear?
There have been exercises developed for just this purpose in the personal growth and development field- chief among them being the firewalk. As a firewalk instructor I have seen dozens and dozens of people have tremendous breakthroughs in learning to face and overcome their fears- and step into leadership in ways that they previously could not have imagined they could do.
The world needs leaders more than ever, and if you are hearing the call, I encourage you to heed it, and believe that as long as you inspire others in any way to be more, do more, or achieve more, yes- you are a leader.
Vincent J Kellsey is a speaker, author, trainer and seminar leader.
He is the Chief Experience Officer for Quantum Success Group, and the creator of the programs QGS Firewalk Experience, The Great Adventure:Your Quest for Money, Mission and Meaning, and Golden Dragon: Transformational Leadership Training.
You can find out more about him and his programs at QuantumSuccessGroup.com, and he can be contacted directly at
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