Lets face it, all of us want to make a difference. Even the most pessimistic of all has, at some stage, a dream, vision and goal. We all want to 'change the world' and 'make a difference'. This is in fact not unusual behaviour as we are unique individuals and more importantly we are different from each other. This makes us want to stand out either, Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally and/or Socially (PIES).
Now why would we want to make that niche or mark in society? What drives us and challenges us to step it up and be a forerunner in this competitive world? Where do we get that energy from? Well, it hurts to say but sub-consciously we are thinking about self preservation. In other words, what would be my legacy? How would you want to be remembered? And for what reason? This ego-centrism nature of it might sound selfish and it might be, however this is how we preserve the human race. Making history as we go and recording it for future generations to follow, to learn, and to change.
Now how does this all link to Effective Leadership? By now, we would have understood that Effective Leadership is the pinnacle of influence and the ability to change things. This itself is the answer towards 'making a difference' and 'changing the world'.
So what do you mean this is the answer? Well, just look around you and observe the lack of dreams in the society.
Finding Your Dreams
Being an Early Childhood Educator, I see a lack of dreams in children in Singapore. This is distressing and very unhealthy for the growth of society. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a pilot, a policeman, I think superman at one point until I learned humans could not fly. And I did not think "Wow! I want to be an office worker!" or "Come on! I want to be a shower singer!" If I really wanted to sing, my dream would be to be on a stage with an ocean of fans. But what happened to me? Did I lose sight of my dreams? No. I just found the anti-dream; reality.
So as I grew older, my dreams changed as well. For example, by the age of 5, I pretty much knew I was not going to fly. However, we take stock of our dreams and that is why a memorable childhood is usually filled with plenty of dreams. Not all dreams live completely in reality, nor is it the other way round. But dreams gives us an advantage to look forward. It gives us the strength to aspire and improve. Dreams can be both practical, if you want to work towards it, or superficial, as long as you attain a positive reaction to them in reality. Dreams excite our lives.
When was the last time you were truly excited? Was it when you clinched that ever elusive deal or maybe getting the top sales person award. How long did it last? Were you truly happy or just satisfied at exceeding expectations and completing your job. We are in this fast, modern society that focuses on results and our weakness, hardly on our strengths, and so we have to go for training which is not bad but at times misleads people to think that they are still not good enough. This affects their empowerment to teach others, and so we are caught in a deadly cycle.
We have to remember not to get trapped in this rat race. Can you step out and dream again? Can you wake up each morning and feel that sizzle in life, that excitement? Cause if you can, then you are taking measure and responsibility of your life. Leading your life effectively is Effective Leadership. You start with yourself, find that dream, find that excitement, or in the words of Mr T from the A-Team get "on the jazz". And then you will find that you deserve to change others and make a difference to them. You feel good about yourself and you make others feel good too. Go and find your dream.
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In a conclusion to this chapter, we understand that using leadership to create change is only possible if we change ourselves first. Our dreams and going back to what we love and what excites us, gives us a power which overcomes the poor excuse of wanting to make a difference because we 'feel like it' or 'feel obliged'. We have to earn the right and feel like we deserve to make a change in other peoples lives, only then can our change be positive. Always remember that Effective Leaders make Effective Changes in people.
Now why would we want to make that niche or mark in society? What drives us and challenges us to step it up and be a forerunner in this competitive world? Where do we get that energy from? Well, it hurts to say but sub-consciously we are thinking about self preservation. In other words, what would be my legacy? How would you want to be remembered? And for what reason? This ego-centrism nature of it might sound selfish and it might be, however this is how we preserve the human race. Making history as we go and recording it for future generations to follow, to learn, and to change.
Now how does this all link to Effective Leadership? By now, we would have understood that Effective Leadership is the pinnacle of influence and the ability to change things. This itself is the answer towards 'making a difference' and 'changing the world'.
So what do you mean this is the answer? Well, just look around you and observe the lack of dreams in the society.
Finding Your Dreams
Being an Early Childhood Educator, I see a lack of dreams in children in Singapore. This is distressing and very unhealthy for the growth of society. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a pilot, a policeman, I think superman at one point until I learned humans could not fly. And I did not think "Wow! I want to be an office worker!" or "Come on! I want to be a shower singer!" If I really wanted to sing, my dream would be to be on a stage with an ocean of fans. But what happened to me? Did I lose sight of my dreams? No. I just found the anti-dream; reality.
So as I grew older, my dreams changed as well. For example, by the age of 5, I pretty much knew I was not going to fly. However, we take stock of our dreams and that is why a memorable childhood is usually filled with plenty of dreams. Not all dreams live completely in reality, nor is it the other way round. But dreams gives us an advantage to look forward. It gives us the strength to aspire and improve. Dreams can be both practical, if you want to work towards it, or superficial, as long as you attain a positive reaction to them in reality. Dreams excite our lives.
When was the last time you were truly excited? Was it when you clinched that ever elusive deal or maybe getting the top sales person award. How long did it last? Were you truly happy or just satisfied at exceeding expectations and completing your job. We are in this fast, modern society that focuses on results and our weakness, hardly on our strengths, and so we have to go for training which is not bad but at times misleads people to think that they are still not good enough. This affects their empowerment to teach others, and so we are caught in a deadly cycle.
We have to remember not to get trapped in this rat race. Can you step out and dream again? Can you wake up each morning and feel that sizzle in life, that excitement? Cause if you can, then you are taking measure and responsibility of your life. Leading your life effectively is Effective Leadership. You start with yourself, find that dream, find that excitement, or in the words of Mr T from the A-Team get "on the jazz". And then you will find that you deserve to change others and make a difference to them. You feel good about yourself and you make others feel good too. Go and find your dream.
-------------------------------------------
In a conclusion to this chapter, we understand that using leadership to create change is only possible if we change ourselves first. Our dreams and going back to what we love and what excites us, gives us a power which overcomes the poor excuse of wanting to make a difference because we 'feel like it' or 'feel obliged'. We have to earn the right and feel like we deserve to make a change in other peoples lives, only then can our change be positive. Always remember that Effective Leaders make Effective Changes in people.
Jonathan Szeto has been working with youth and teens for many years and wants to encourages everyone to find that Leader in them. For more information on Leadership for Teens, Becoming an Effective Leader and Using Leadership to Create Change please visit http://the-effective-leader.blogspot.com/
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