You are the source of harmony - Reason 24

We live together and we flourish as a worldwide big team, because we are human beings and it is in our nature.  Still, things don’t work always as we would like, because, among other reasons, we are so different from each other.

The pursuit of harmony is common nowadays, maybe motivated by the number of interpersonal conflicts.  For that reason, companies hire coaches and consultants to help their teams to work well together, mediators go from country to country to help solve issues and you sit down from time to time to wonder what to do about your own relationships.

It is easier for leaders as they always think of themselves as the ones to generate harmony.  They won’t look for it from others, nor will they wait for others to change, but they will provide that energy from their own actions, attitude and awareness.  To be part of the inner circle of a leader is an opportunity to feel harmony in practical life.

Harmony is something exquisite, because it is based on the truth, peace and mutual good wishes and it can be a healing experience for an entire group.  Where harmony prevails as the constant backdrop for any resolution of momentary conflict, it will be just like a modern piece of art: challenging and beautiful at the same time.

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

Each day is a new chapter of your life - Reason 23

If your life was a book, what would be the title?  This is a deep reflection each one of us should do from time to time.  The secret behind it is that whatever is the book’s chosen title, so also will be the experience that day.

For leaders, that reflection takes place naturally and it helps to focus.  Energy and resources will be harnessed meaningfully. 

The best leadership does not stop with the choice of book title.  Where there is the mindset that every day is a new chapter with its own beginning, middle and end, an active leader starts renewed and fresh every day.

This is the richness of being a leader, where every day contributes in an important way to growth.

So, for a leader instead of asking the title of their life’s book, an even better question is: What is the title of the new chapter I am starting today?

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

You will develop the full potential of your intelligence - Reason 22

By observation, there are three main components that compose what normally we define as intelligence: memory, synthesis and analysis.  That is, a very intelligent person will have an incredible memory, he or she will be able to gather information and give a meaning and context to it.

There is no scientific consensus on how to develop intelligence, but it is observed that mental exercise and stimulation coming from the need of the moment encourage this.  The point is you can develop intelligence, as much as you want, although for a normal person that is crushed by routine and a life without creativity.

It is not about the intelligence borne out of schooling, but that capacity we all have as humans to figure out our way in this world.

A leader will quickly gather all information needed, reflect, reach a conclusion and then act.  This encourages creativity whilst at the same time provides structure and focus so that everyone’s energy is best directed.

Over and above, a leader will be able to reach a point where solutions can be found and it will serve as lessons to learn and as a means of self-motivation.

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

It is easier to discern the best paths to follow in the journey of life - Reason 21

In an old Colombian song, Los Caminos de la Vida, the author describes how the paths of life are difficult to walk[1].  For many people, life can be one big mystery, and sometimes even an experience of constant misery.

However, a leader is clear that her or his life is the fruit of their own decisions, and is not based on others’ choices or on fate.  Yes, decisions made by others may influence them and circumstances will have an impact, but he or she ultimately will follow the path that comes from their own inspiration.

The leader’s ‘trick’, if we can call it that, is to take time to reflect and to discern before making a commitment in any direction.  Discernment is an ability that allows a person to choose and to prioritise the best possible options before taking any action.

For a leader the importance of discernment is multiplied by the fact that any decision also will impact on the lives of others.  In the absence of proper discernment, life would be just a guess-work . . . 

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

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[1] Los Caminos de la Vida (The paths of Life) is a song by Omar Geles, about the difficulty of facing a life for one isn’t prepared.  The rhythm is called Vallenato and it is typical of the Eastern Atlantic of Colombia.  You can watch its performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L9itEadUCE

Live a life with 100% challenges and 0% problems - Reason 20

Do you have a problem?  If you are a leader then that is excellent…

You see, a leader is basically a problem solver, but in an uncomplicated way since he or she never considers a problem as, well, a problem!  For a leader, it translates into challenges.

After all, if you solve a problem, that means you are still at school, but when you overcome a challenge, it means now you are a grown-up.

It is not just a question of word choice, and many leaders like to use the word problem, but the attitude defines how that leader will deal with the circumstances.  While a problem causes fear and worry, lots of stress and confusion, a challenge stimulates and inspires the best to emerge.

Leaders keep a big smile, as challenges come to oppose them and to encourage them to grow.


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

Adverse situations can be faced with internal stability, and a touch of humour - Reason 19

Do you remember The Lion King[1]?  As an animated movie, it brought fresh air to an industry and company that really needed it, combining an exceptional blend of humour and tragedy.

A little spoiler alert in case you haven’t watched it!  On the way to become a king, Simba suffered a big tragedy in his life, but the way he deals with it is to just move one and enjoy a free life in jungle.

That is the inspiration part of being a leader in difficult situations: nothing is too bad so that your mood goes off.  But the leader’s wit comes from a deep sense of stability, not from carelessness or worse, by feeling disheartened.

Nobody is really invincible and yet, when you are a leader, even your worst defeat turns into an occasion for reflection and self-progress.  Maybe it is the fact that a person who takes on a leadership mind-set will have truth by his or her side, or maybe it is the wisdom a leader builds along a life’s journey…  Whatever it is, obstacles in front of a leader become part of that journey’s landscape.

Isn’t it good to be a leader?  A leader is merged in a lead role of a hero movie and you just know the end will be brilliant!

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

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[1] The Lion King was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation in 1994.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King

A failure will turn into an opportunity - Reason 18

Who likes a failure?  Very few people, if there is even one, because it is not only the moment a failure happens, but it is possible the impact stays with the person for some time, affecting life in general.

But, if you are a leader, a failure is seen as a wonderful chance to do the same in a different way, or taken as a good signal to change what you do.

Failure activates an ambiguous response from any person.  On one hand, this individual just wants to crawl under some rock and hope people will forget he or she even exists.  It is like sensing a knot in the stomach, but the person knows thata won’t stop so soon, as there are consequences to be faced too.

On the other hand, a boost of energy comes, trying to find a solution and a way out of this situation.  It is at that moment that being a leader is an advantage: by using true leadership qualities, she or he is able to calm down and to focus on the new possibilities ahead.

Failure turns into an opportunity, a moment when a leader discovers something great about the self.

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