A Means Of Personal Expression…

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

The most compelling leaders are those who are finding ways to fully express who they are and what they believe. Leadership guru Warren Bennis, who understood leadership as self-expression, made the following observation…

“No leader sets out to be a leader. People set out to live their lives, expressing themselves fully. When that expression is of value, they become leaders. So the point is not to become a leader. The point is to become yourself, to use yourself completely – all your skills, gifts and energies – in order to make your vision manifest. You must withhold nothing. You, must, in sum, become the person you started out to be, and to enjoy the process of becoming.”

To be a credible and authentic leader, you must learn to express yourself in your own unique way. This means you cannot lead by copying others. You cannot lead by copying the actions, beliefs, values and vision of somebody else. - People do not follow leadership techniques, tools, tricks and tactics, they follow people who know who they are - and who have the courage to expresses themselves authentically.

In fact, the majority of those we would classify as great leaders, never set out to become a “great leader.”

“If you study the people who participate in dynamic leadership relationships, you will find the majority of them never set out to be great leaders. Rather, they set out to pursue a purpose, a cause, or a calling that was worthy of giving it everything they had – in some cases, even their lives! Their power is the power of purpose. Whether it’s chasing an exciting new opportunity or fighting injustice, their belief in the cause gives them the strength to persevere when they come up against insurmountable odds. In their efforts to build relationships and rally people around the cause, they naturally start to engage in the act of leadership.” - Kevin Freibergand and Jackie Freiberg

• Have you clearly articulated your vision and purpose?
• What is the cause that compels you the most?
• Is that cause something worth giving your life for?  - If so… then go out and do it!