There seems to be an array of information out there on leadership. Are they born? Are they made? What skills and qualities do they posses? How to become an effective leader? You could probably read yourself blue on all the theories and explanations of what constitutes great leadership.
When I think of great leaders like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Marcus Garvey, Richard Branson, Wangari Maathai, Martin Luther King – it seems to me that these almost mythological beings did not exactly set out on their journey with the thought of “Oh I will be a great leader one day”. Instead… I think it rather went something like “Oh I wish to make a difference”.
These and other great leaders possess a great vision … a vision that is not based on gain for the personal self, but a vision about having an impact on the “bigger picture” of their world or times, having a positive impact on peoples lives. With the commitment to this strong vision in mind, they set to work with the belief of making it happen, no matter what the challenges, cost or risks at stake.
Following on some of their journeys, a common thread is that the journey towards achieving their dream is certainly not an easy one, encountering and experiencing hardships some of us can only imagine. It seems, the bigger the dream, the bigger the risks and challenges.
To me, leadership is a status given to exemplary individuals and is not something that can be taken. So how can you or anyone go about becoming a great leader?
Dream. Dream big! In fact - dream bigger than BIG. Then, with your every breath, thought and action, set out to make it happen. When your dream and actions inspire others to dream and act too, then you would know, yet another great leader is born.
(Pic: http://www.drmartinlutherkingjr.com/i-have-a-dream.jpg)
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