Everything you have done has been REALLY worthwhile – Reason 42

Have you ever read through someone else’s curriculum vitae?  Or even your own one?  If you did so, you have probably noticed people tend not to mention jobs they consider embarrassing, or they give a different slant to portray them in a better light.

For instance, if a person in a high position had very simple or ordinary jobs, it is possible that these may not be mentioned.  If someone finds out about that, they may be explained away as having been extremely boring or that no training was available.  But for a leader, it is never like that.

Any job or anything a person does, it gives him the possibility of learning and to identify potential and personal strengths.  For the common person, to complain will be the way to deal with it, but for a leader, that job is like a university or post-graduation course in the form of a great opportunity to change points of view.

There are so many phases we all go through in life which on the face of it look like a waste of time, but there is always a chance that lies within them; a hidden benefit that leaders use to overcome obstacles that come later.

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

Your character impacts many others and changes their lives – Reason 41

Leaders have a range of influence far beyond any normal person and it may even transform other people’s lives as many real life stories support this.

Within the range of the concept of influence, character is a very distinct element, because you cannot teach someone how their character should be.  Well, you may teach them, but what they will really absorb is you as an example, not your lecture.  How do you teach someone to be generous or perseverant?

There is a story of a grandmother who furnished her small beach house with very ugly and flimsy plastic furniture.  Used to her eccentricities, her grandchildren tried to tell her they weren’t good and necessary, but she refused to listen to them or to give an explanation.

It took some time for them to learn the truth and many years to understand the lesson: a neighbour single mother with two kids was desperate in need of money to buy food, so the older woman bought her tables and chairs to provide the woman with some money.  That grandmother left a powerful legacy to her grandchildren in the form of an example.

Leaders don’t give lectures to help others in their own character development, as they teach with their actions and intentions, instead of words.

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

Your life is totally your own show; others are guests on it… - Reason 40

Do you know these long running TV shows or soap opera?  One of the tricks a producer has to keep interest is to invite known actors, singers and even politicians to take part.  Sometimes, the guest is more important than the actual actor of the show, but, still, it is not the guest’s show, but the actor’s.

Our lives are our own shows that run from that wonderful moment when we take birth until the time of departure.  Everyone else is a guest who features in it. 

Not everyone has that awareness, but for a leader, this is very clear.  On the one hand, it gives freedom and a leader can choose who will enter his or her life, and how.  That makes it easier to be surrounded by people who effectively contribute and who make life more interesting and challenging.

On the other hand, it releases everyone of blame: absolutely EVERYTHING that happens in a leader’s life is accepted as her or his responsibility.  So, people will be also free and light in the presence of a leader as it is all based on choice.

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

Leaders have no impossible obstacles – Reason 39

A leader never sees an obstacle as impossible.  Maybe it will take time and the leader will have to learn many new things to overcome it, but nothing is impossible.

There are several reasons for that, all related to a leader’s wisdom.  First, a leader won’t get into a situation without having the resources, skills or need.  His or her discernment is very sharp and is able to identify this at the onset.

Second, if it does happen that a leader is going through a circumstance that is beyond her or his capacity or resources, she or he will be humble and eager to learn how to win this particular batter, by asking for help or trying harder.

And yet, if not even that makes things possible, a leader is humble enough to accept defeat, embrace it and turn it into a victory through having learnt something useful for the future.

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