BE YOURSELF
Hi Everyone, As most of you know, I'm a die-hard reader of marketing and leadership books. In fact, other than family, my closest friends, and my fitness routine...marketing and leadership are my ONLY two passions. So...when I come across something poignant, effective, and intelligent, that deals with leadership...I'm bursting at the seams to pass it on. And that's what I'm going to do. OK...let's cut through the bull and get to the good stuff! I was re-reading a great book recently called "The Tao of Leadership" by John Heider which you can buy here. In this awesome collection of sage writings, there is a little passage called "Being Oneself." And it goes like this... "The wise leader does not make a show of holiness or pass out grades for good performance. That would create a climate of success and failure. Competition and jealousy follow. Emphasizing material success is the same: those who have a lot become greedy, and those who have little become thieves. When you reinforce appearances, people scramble to please. The wise leader pays respectful attention to all behavior. Thus the group becomes open to more and more possibilities of behavior. People learn a great deal when they are open to everything and not just figuring out what pleases the teacher. The leader shows that style is no substitute for substance, that knowing certain facts is not more powerful than simple wisdom, that creating an impression is not more potent than acting from one's center. The students learn that effective action arises out of silence and a clear sense of being. In this they find a source of peace. They discover that the person who is down-to-earth can do what needs doing more effectively than the person who is merely busy." You know those words are so powerful, it's scary. Be careful who you follow in life. Most people unfortunately, are just out to satisfy their own weak agendas and could give two bits about you. That's a fact Jack! And always remember to watch what people do and believe little of what they say. Try this...write down the next 10 things people tell you they are going to do. Give it a little time and then see what the results are. I'll guarantee that you'll be shocked at just how little is achieved. And remember, most so-called Managers do NOT have a clue about what it really takes to lead people. Most are hand-picked empty suits (and dresses) with nothing more to show for themselves than a worthless college degree, poor family life, a bathroom cabinet full of today's most vogue pills, questionable political skills and a propensity to kiss the rear-end of someone they really loath. Gee...can I follow them? Bottom line...to be a real leader, you must first be able to really lead yourself! Until next time... Peter Wink
Author, Getting Clear Of FEAR