"Being human means being productive"
Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994)
Leadership, to many of us, is too often associated with hierarchies and organizational structures, appearing distant and aloof, and as a result, unsurprisingly, is not at all empowering. Indeed, quite the opposite. Instead, this mindset tends to facilitate passivity, an us and them mentality, enabling the vast majority to merely sit back and wait for someone else to take responsibility and then comfortably complain from the comfort of the sitting room when they, unsurprisingly, fail to deliver.
But it is a mistake to believe that initiative, drive and passion are solely confined to the high echelons of society. On the contrary, it is up to each and every one of us to answer one very simple question 'what can I do to make a difference?' too often we are wont to sit back and allow ourselves to wallow in self pity or feel overwhelmed by the extent of problems that bedevil us. Instead of complaining about situations and hoping just for things to happen or, worse still, waiting and expecting others to do things for us, which is passive and unproductive, identify what it is that unsettles you and commit to doing something about it. I prefer to call this 'Open Leadership'.
I like the story of the man walking along the shore after the tide had gone out and noticed it was covered in starfish. He came across a child picking up starfish one by one and throwing them back into the sea. The man laughed and asked the child what difference was he making, since there still remained thousands of starfish upon the sand. The child responded 'At least I am making a difference to that one… and that one… and that one '.
This story perhaps amply encapsulates the difference between optimism, forged as it is through action, and pessimism, which is failing to see the opportunity within every situation. Whereas the former does not seek to deny the extent of the problem, it does at least recognize that it is action that creates change, whilst complaining achieves nothing. As Lao-tzu succinctly put it 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'.
For sure, those in 'official' leadership positions have a responsibility to guide and, where possible inspire, and they too need to re-evaluate their roles as linchpins to support and encourage individual and collective initiative. But ultimately, it will not be down to the politicians, captains of industry, religious leaders, teachers, or even celebrities to make things happen, but to each and every one of us to demonstrate Open Leadership in whichever way we can.
But it is a mistake to believe that initiative, drive and passion are solely confined to the high echelons of society. On the contrary, it is up to each and every one of us to answer one very simple question 'what can I do to make a difference?' too often we are wont to sit back and allow ourselves to wallow in self pity or feel overwhelmed by the extent of problems that bedevil us. Instead of complaining about situations and hoping just for things to happen or, worse still, waiting and expecting others to do things for us, which is passive and unproductive, identify what it is that unsettles you and commit to doing something about it. I prefer to call this 'Open Leadership'.
I like the story of the man walking along the shore after the tide had gone out and noticed it was covered in starfish. He came across a child picking up starfish one by one and throwing them back into the sea. The man laughed and asked the child what difference was he making, since there still remained thousands of starfish upon the sand. The child responded 'At least I am making a difference to that one… and that one… and that one '.
This story perhaps amply encapsulates the difference between optimism, forged as it is through action, and pessimism, which is failing to see the opportunity within every situation. Whereas the former does not seek to deny the extent of the problem, it does at least recognize that it is action that creates change, whilst complaining achieves nothing. As Lao-tzu succinctly put it 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'.
For sure, those in 'official' leadership positions have a responsibility to guide and, where possible inspire, and they too need to re-evaluate their roles as linchpins to support and encourage individual and collective initiative. But ultimately, it will not be down to the politicians, captains of industry, religious leaders, teachers, or even celebrities to make things happen, but to each and every one of us to demonstrate Open Leadership in whichever way we can.
Remember, this doesn't have to involve big, grandiose projects, think what you can do and do it. There are opportunities on Planet Earth for us all. So get moving!