They say that nobody is ‘a born leader’ but that leaders are made. Which is true, but there’s a big problem with the way most people teach leadership.
We’re shown examples such as Steve Jobs, Hillary Clinton and the Dalai Lama, and next we’re told that we need to learn the attitudes and skills those people have.
So we join a training program, we learn all kinds of interesting and useful things – but when we return to work, we still don’t manage to inspire and motivate people the way we want to.
The reason we don’t lead
See, before you can be perceived as a leader, you need to become a leader in an inward sense.
You yourself need to become the leader of you, before others can follow your leadership.
In other words: A leader is created twice – first inwardly. Only then does leadership manifest outwardly.
And that’s something most leadership programs don’t deal with. They only focus on the external aspects – things such as speech, body-language and empathy.
But while those learnings will help you behave like a leader, they don’t make you into one.
I like to quote Steven Covey: You need to start with the end in mind
Before others will consider you a leader, they need to see leadership – on a personal level – in you first.
You can only be perceived as a leader if you first reach the state where you are a leader to yourself.
Once you achieve that, all other aspects fall into place automatically.
Including the quiet confidence we see in true leaders
People who inspire others have a degree of confidence, a type of being comfortable in their own skin.
They are at ease with their shortcomings, and they are aware that the very fact they are comfortable just the way the are, is what inspires others to pay attention to them.
And that’s not something you can learn in a manual, or in a workshop: instead, it’s the consequence of coming to terms with yourself.
Which leaves you with a problem:
You know you’ve got the qualities. You’re there for people. You genuinely care and you want results, that benefit all, and that people want to help you achieve.
And yet, you’re not able to get those results, because while you have the skills and you know that you’re a leader, you’re unable to create followership in people.
Why is that?
In most cases, its your subconscious that sabotages you. Your rational mind knows you’ve got what it takes, but you lack the inner acceptance of self that gives you the outward confidence you need.
That means there’s a constant clash between your rational knowing, and your subconscious.
It’s only when your intent and your inner world align that others can perceive the qualities of a leader in you. And only then will they be ‘on your side’, happy and motivated to follow your lead.
Without inner leadership your subconscious will always sabotage your efforts to inspire and guide people
If you don’t get the results you want or need, then the one thing that you are missing is a degree of acceptance of yourself, a level of knowing that you, with all your personal traits, are just fine as you are.
What you need to bring out the leader in you is to become a leader through and through – to yourself as well as to others.
Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.
~ Stephen Covey
You too can reach that state – you can create an attitude of confidence that comes from the inside.
A way of being where you don’t need to enforce anything – but instead inspire and motivate with ease and calm confidence.
But only if and when you have come to accept yourself, when you are at ease with yourself.
Without that, you’ll never be the leader you’re meant to be.
I can help you, with my solution-focused Natural Leadership Program.
In 6 sessions, you will discover how to:
- Show authority without arrogance or bossiness
- Love, like, and approve of yourself
- Let your personality and character traits work for you
- Enjoy your life – and your work – much more!
- Be the effective, inspiring leader you can be
A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a moulder of consensus.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
That is the outcome we aim for with my Leadership program: a natural, un-forced state of leadership
Six solution-focused sessions – incorporating the psychometric assessment Team Management Profile, created by the renowned Team Management Systems.
One of the sessions will be my signature OCEAN method. After that, you’ll be positively amazed at the results you can achieve with people.
Contact me today.
Let’s bring out the leader hidden inside of you!