Article
for May 2007
The focus for the moment is on leadership
style. We're all leaders in one way or another. The
questions are: Do we lead by example, or is it "do
as I say not as I do"? Do we realize the effect
that our words as well as our actions have on ourselves?
The saying "actions speak louder than words" has
been around since it first appeared in the 1692 book,
Will and Doom, by Gersham Bulkeley when he wrote "Actions
are more significant than words".
I, like many others, was taught that our actions
were the things we did with our bodies. Doing something
with our hands, our feet, our bodies--THAT was an
action. Talking about something
wasn't DOING something--there was no action.
It seems that we've forgotten concepts that have
been around for years - words - spoken or written
- require action to be delivered. Our very thoughts
are actions within the synapses of our brain.
The idea that "thinking" about something
is the same as "doing" something was documented
for us over two thousand years ago.
We hear the question - "How loudly do I have
to yell before you'll hear me?" asked in a hundred
different ways everyday. The parent, the employer,
the boss, the president of an organization...even
the self-talk within the boundaries of our mind are
yelling to be heard. If not the volume of the voice,
it's the volume of the actions.
The mark of a true leader is not in how much we
do or how strong we appear. It is in how little we
do and how "Zen quiet" we are that identifies
a truly powerful leader.
Leading, whether it be ourselves, our family, our
volunteer organization or within our business--is
not about the rules or regulations, the "should" or "shouldn't",
or the "will" or "will not".
It is about the growth of the individual or group
as well as the natural process of unfolding and exposing
the strengths of all concerned.
A leader is able to hold up the mirror of leadership
to everyone they encounter and allow them to see
the leader within themselves. As that process evolves,
so will the natural evolution of the organization
that they are accountable "for" and "to".
Even if the "organization" is simply that
of our own lives.
Looking at our levels of frustration, anger, health--in
general our own angst--is a good mirror for how we
are leading ourselves as well as others.
If we find ourselves yelling to get our point across,
we've lost touch with those we're leading. We've
lost touch with the purpose of our involvement.
When we choose to encourage rather than enforce,
to support rather than suppress, and to discover
rather than demand, we find peace of mind, prosperity
and freedom in all of our endeavors.
Can you find the ability to Lead with Silence?
USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB
SITE. You can use it as long as you agree to include
the following blurb at the end of it: Kira Wagner
is one of America's "most persuasive and entertaining
speakers!" She is the creator of Freedom's
Formula and author of the book Handbook for Freedom.
To contact Kira for a speaking engagement: visit: www.yourfreedomguide.com. |
