Everyone is a friend… - Reason 36

The words ‘I have a friend’ are seldom used by people nowadays.

Oh, yes, you may have 5,000 friends… in a social network platform.  But among them, how many would extend their hand to you at a time of need or will share a dream with you, so you can build something together?  And by saying build something we are not saying to create another social network group.

A leader will be everyone’s friend and will have everyone as a friend because what he or she has with other people is a deep connection.

It means whenever there is a need or a dream to share, the leader will gather many people around her or him.  The purpose of this is not to win people over, but because the leader cares about others and whatever he or she inspires them to commit to do, it is for a greater benefit.

And whenever there is a need, the leader will be there.  Maybe she or he will not give exactly what the other person is looking for, but there will always be a smile, understanding eyes or a word of encouragement.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

You are an explorer of your own self! - Reason 35

At any time, a leader has always a place to go.  It is a place to which she or he wouldn’t need to take a flight or even a car ride, because it is there, within themselves.

Then, he or she can explore all that is inside a human being: virtues, values, powers, talents, dreams, feelings, and can learn to use all of these treasures with more confidence.

The motto of a leader who is this type of explorer is: Look inside where both power and protection can be found.  It is particularly useful during stressful situations or crisis, as the leader uses that mental and spiritual space to reflect and to make decisions, instead of just looking outwardly and reacting.

It also serves when the leader is going through a period and everything is alright; it is a time the leader takes in which to further enjoy these inner resources that are abundant and everlasting.

Others who haven’t developed the ability to go as deep as a leader will find their internal resources are not ready and available a time of need.  But leaders will go so deep they even will be able to help others in their own exploration.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

Every day is a holiday - Reason 34

Oh, yes, a leader works, and works hard.  But he or she knows how to celebrate too as it refreshes the leader and helps to trigger more creative ideas.

Normal people seem to love to queue eternally in airports or in unending traffic jams to take a holiday and to escape their normal lives once or twice a year.  We are not saying leaders don’t go through that, but it isn’t with the intention of ‘escaping’, because each day is her or his ‘holiday’.

Every day there is a triumph to be accomplished.  Everyday there is a moment when you, a leader, experience victory, and then it is time for celebration, a little daily holiday.

A celebration can be to make time to sit on a nice park bench on a sunny day, to enjoy a tasty mango or to read a book that has nothing to do with job, because a leader has no particular day put to one side to enjoy life’s pleasures.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)