We Lead Our Lives Out In The Open

After reading the second part in A Leader's Legacy, I have learned even more about what leadership truly means. I think it is important that everyone knows not only is leadership a relationship but also that leadership IS personal. If you are or want to be a leader, than you must know all parts of yourself first. If you do not know who you are, what you are prepared to do and why, than you cannot expect to accomplish anything too grand. Leadership is the relationship which defines those who aspire to lead and those who just chose to follow.

One of the most vital aspects of leading I have realized through reading is trust. Trust is a key ideal that must be achieved if anything else wants to get done. Not only do members have to trust their leader, but leaders also have to trust all those they have chosen to lead. Leaders must trust everyone they help welcome in to an organization. It is after all the people after them who are going to be in charge one day, and the people responsible for handling and upholding their legacies. While it would be nice to assume trust would be there whenever we need it, realistically it is not. Trust is something that must be worked on each and everyday; to help it grow and develop and to sustain it. I know that I personally at times can have trust issues but I am understanding more and more that I need to be open and let trust build between myself and others. I do trust my sisters and know that no matter what they would be there, but I am also responsible for making sure that my sisters know I would be there for them too. Trust, along with most things in life, is a two way street.

From reading Part Two I have also learned that the only person I can change is myself. While it is nice to be helpful and want to aid someone so they can achieve their highest potential, the only person that can allow themselves to get there is them. As leaders we must first work on ourselves and realize that if we want to make a change in our behavior, we can only control us, but by setting a good example, those who look up to us and follow us may follow. It is important that leaders focus on their purpose and the purpose of what they are trying to accomplish and not specific people. Because again, we are only in charge of ourselves.

I am really enjoying this book. It is such an easy read and is so inspirational. If I didn't have other homework to do or meetings to attend, I am sure I would have already finished this book multiple times. I am learning so much about how to be an effective leader, how to better myself and how to be the person that lets others know change is here, and it is good. The only person who can create change is us. We are the leaders of today, not of tomorrow.