The phrase that comes to my mind when reading all of the ideas about leadership, each with their own set of merits and demerits, is: When things seem too complex and life seems almost overwhelming, just focus on the next step, and then the next. Soon you will look back and see how for you’ve come not how far you have to go.
I say this as I think of the magical complexity of the universe and the extent how little we know compared to the vastness of what we do not know. And yet, we will all discuss, and thrust, and parry, boldly exclaim, or quietly speculate what we believe to be true from our own world views. And we base our beliefs on bits of information or facts that are neither true or false, just bits of information, thus our beliefs are shaky at best again due to the vastness of what we do not know.
And yet, there is simplicity of things, like seeing the fractals of an object. It is like looking at the form of chaos from afar and seeing that there is indeed a pattern, a form, a design. Maybe, when we step away from the chaos and complexities of the moment, we can actually see a commonality; a pattern if you will that flows and connects all. Maybe it is as simple as seeing that the essence of leadership is simply (although not easy by any means) the knowing of one’s true self, one’s core values and purpose if you will, and to be aligned with who one is throughout every decision within every moment of one’s life. Maybe that is all leadership is when all the complexity is stripped away.
For though it may be true that an action by one may not have achieved any measureable signs of being successful, yet their action will have had impact. And that that impact as it passes from one person to another is never really measurable but it will always continue on. I also suspect that the action which was deemed by all to be a failure, could impact another in such a way that as a consequence, their next action will impact another to the point where an unknown person far removed from the original “failed action” will changed a world. In the end, who is to say what action is successful or not?
I think we tend to think in too linear of terms… cause and effect. When on steps away and observes, it may be that the only thing essential about leadership is that people choose to act in ways that are in alignment with who they are at their core… in alignment with their core values and purpose. And by simply choosing to act from that place or reference point, the summation of the cumulative impacts from those actions will create something good even if it is not seen or known at that time or moment. That maybe the essence of leadership is clear and simple. Maybe what is really needed rather than focusing on the complexities of measuring success and leadership is a clearer understanding of the relationship between essential core leadership and faith. But that I think is a topic for another time.
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Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.
I had a situation were I gave two of the books I have written to Deepok Chopra. I was so nervous to met him and shake his hand. He thanked me and then he left the books under the table where he had sat. My first feelings were, failure. This could have been the meeting that could have really made the difference to our youth. “The Secret,” for children. I had started writing “The Secret Daydream,” 15 years earlier. I walked out of John Assaraf’s house that night with books in my hand, head down, then I thought, this is only a temporary set back and it doesn’t change my dreams. You have to do the same. Visualize, believe, be thankful, ask the universe, and take action. Remember it all happens in God’s time, not ours.