With hundreds of young people attending a conference in our city this week, I have been inspired to muse about leadership.
When we are children, we were told to be leaders instead of followers.
Yet, we were not always taught how to be leaders. We had to follow the examples of others.
Who do you set an example for in your life? Good or bad, those in our personal sphere are influenced by what we do, say, think and feel. Who we are rubs off, whether we like it or not.
Even though it seems we are programmed with memes about how to live - how to manage a home or a yard, how to raise children, how to eat, how to act, how to be helpful - we still have choices about these things. Sometimes I am misunderstood, but I still march to the beat of my own drum.
The most powerful leaders in history were persecuted for simply marching to their own beat. In most cases, the words of the leaders and their teachings or writings were often far more conscious and inspiring than the people themselves and the lives they lead. It's often devastating for followers to learn that their leaders are not perfect. But once we realize that it's okay to be 'a work in progress', it's easier to recognize our power - and, as we learned from Spider-Man, 'with great power comes great responsibility.'
I have had some astounding influences in my life that have encouraged me to follow my own beat, by doing the same thing themselves. Because we are all setting subtle examples for each other, most of our personal heroes will never know that is what they are to us (unless we tell them)!
'You have to serve before you can lead' is an axiom that permeates my being. I am in love with this humble truth. It's important for us to appreciate that, with any true leadership role in life, we are required to pay our dues.
Before you can teach your child about all of the wonderful things in the world you love, you have to do the midnight feedings, diaper changes and fierce protective services that are required of you as a parent (not to mention, in most cases, the nine months prior and the birth day!)
Before you can make it to the top, you have to show that you're not too proud to serve at the bottom. In fact, if you're a true leader, you're probably also still serving at the bottom, just to make sure the foundational work is always done.
When it really comes down to it, the best way we can influence others as leaders is to recognize our own responsibility in the matter. We should live in such a way that any observer would be encouraged to live that way too. Trust me, there are always observers. Even what is hidden within us eventually finds its way into the light, for all to see.
Personal accountability is the mark of a true leader. Being willing to admit when you are wrong, to apologize freely but sincerely, to compliment others earnestly, to handle criticism graciously, to take charge of peace-keeping, to remain innocent and curious, these are all attributes of an apt leader.
"When the people lead, people take the lead. Children, you've got to take the lead, or you shall be lead astray." That is a powerful line from a song called 'People Lead' by folk blues musician Ben Harper. We do need another hero. We do need to be moving in the direction of progress.
Progress, to me, is when there is food in every mouth and a roof over every head, on the entire planet. There is no other recourse than to choose to lead, through creativity, compassion, innovation and co-operation.
Future leaders of the world, may you be blessed. With your head held high and your feet on the ground, being ever willing to stoop to help others, may your path be illuminated. Go forward boldly and leave no corner of this world unturned, no mouth unfed.
As the Hopi Elders said, 'We are the ones we have been waiting for!'
