I was thumbing through Robert Dilts’ Alpha Leadership: Tools for Business Leaders Who Want More from Life when I came across this concise explanation of why leading yourself first is important before leading others.
The central idea in the story of Monty Roberts, the ‘Horse Whisperer’, is that although horses will run away from strange humans at the slightest provocation, they will follow and ‘join up’ with interesting humans who appear to pose no threat to them.
We shy away from forceful demands for loyalty and commitment, but we flock to and swarm round focal points where ‘cool stuff’ seems either to be happening or about to happen.
Good leaders work with our hunger to involve ourselves, with others, in interesting work and exciting projects. They influence and seduce, rather than command, and try to become ‘attractors’, as complexity scientists put it – the embodiments of attractive energy, the centre of the swarm.
But leaders can only be attractive, in this sense, when they themselves are truly aligned. Alignment starts from the inside, out: being sure of who you are and what your ‘calling’ is, understanding and projecting your values and abilities, and ensuring that these inner qualities and resources are fully aligned.
In short, there is no substitute for being an authentic and coherent person.
June 6th, 2007 at 4:45 am
I agree that self-leadership is of the utmost importance for great leaders. IMO, anyone can learn the right head knowledge, but it takes an intimately personal journey to develop the inner qualities that will make you truly successful.
I like the ideas encompassed in Greenleaf’s servant leader.
http://www.butler.edu/studentlife/hampton/principles.htm
I would also add that humility in a leader is second to none.
Nice post.
-The Happy Rock
June 6th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
A good friend of mine pointed out that “leaders take people where they need to go not where they want to go and afterwards the followers thank them”
June 6th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Great post. Mastering the basics is always important when we consider doing something more advanced. True leadership needs to grow within us first before sharing it to others.
June 6th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Awesome post
A leader can show the thirsty soldier where is the water but he cannot force the soldier to drink if the latter refuses.
In setting up my site on spreading the awareness on law of attraction (www.secretofunlimitedprosperity) , I am also taking this approach. I can share my experiences and how law of attraction change my life, but I cannot force anyone to take action
Action must come from within.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Nice post. Leaders are recognized by people through their great leadership skills, one of them is leading by example. This attitude must come from within because it has a great effect to people they lead.
June 9th, 2007 at 5:02 am
I attended the “Alpha Leadership” seminar: it was good, even if Robert was so difficult to understand
June 12th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Absolutely! When we ourselves are congruent of heart, mind and spirit, do we then enhance and engage the hearts and lives of others. And not just their minds. Great post, as usual.
June 18th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Great excerpt, Alvin. Very interesting. S.