Yesterday I began this blog on the concept of having a Mindset of Leadership. We looked how most children think of themselves as leaders. But as we age, fewer and fewer of us hold on to that belief.
Why?
The brain is a comparative tool. We can’t help but judge one experience against another similar experience; one person against another. We can’t help but stack ourselves up to those around us. It’s innate in each one of us to compare and place ourselves in the mix—and usually not at the top.
We tell ourselves, “I didn’t do well in that behavior, therefore it’s probably not my strong suit.” Then, as we go through life, we continue to walk down that stairway of negative belief with statements that start with “I didn’t do well at that” to “I’m not good at that” to “I suck at that” to finally, “I CAN’T do that!”
As we grow up we also hear, ‘you’re a product of your environment’, ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’, ‘You can’t shed the skin you’re in’, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, ‘You can’t fly with the eagles if you’re a duck’!
I’m here to tell you—and forgive my language—but MOST of that is pure crap!
I say most because it is true we have some limitations based on lack of experiences or lack of opportunities. And let’s face it, we’re not all physically equipped to run the 100-yard dash in less than 7 seconds. But those missed chances, the lack of experiences or opportunities don’t confine us to a life of mediocrity. They can be changed. They can be overcome. No one is stuck with a life they don’t want to live. There are no involuntary life sentences in the prison of mediocrity!
Granted, not everyone IS a leader, but everyone has the POTENTIAL to be a leader. The truth is most of us never take up the mantle of leadership because we’re content to let others take the risk and do the work. Leadership is risk. Leadership takes extra work. But it’s not about experience, education, or talent. It’s about choosing to lead. That’s where it begins.
Effective leadership is not taught, it’s learned! Although it can help, you don’t sit in a classroom or read a book to become a great leader. You become a great leader by leading. By making mistakes, or making correct choices and learning from both.
Grab hold and take possession of that! You ARE a leader. You are an expert at something you do well. Believe in the power of your humanity and the authority you have not only been given as your gift in life, but also the authority you’ve earned through life experience.
Tomorrow we’ll look at how we take hold of our authority.
