“We tend to look for great leaders and saviors to come and redeem the world. Sometimes such exceptional leadership may be needed when the change which has to be achieved or crisis to be solved is too difficult to accomplish for average humanity. Similarly, good role models who walk the talk and live the values they preach are helpful in our higher evolution. But in general the power to change the world is within every one of us because we are the world – His Majesty, The King of Bhutan”
So let us discuss some of the essentials of Leadership of the Self.
Don’t Wait to Be Led by Others
It is a fact that, in general, the power to change the world is within every one of us. Yes, great leaders and masters have created unprecedented examples before us of how things have to be led, how we need to take responsibility for the world, create change, and leave a lasting impression and legacy for generations to come.
But somewhere I feel deeply that before taking responsibility for the world, “Take responsibility unto yourself first.” Lead yourself. Be the CEO of your life before you take responsibility for others. Take charge of yourself. Don’t wait to be led by others.
Everyone here has a dream to fulfill. But what is your dream? What kind of life do you want to lead? What drives you? Take some time to reflect.
Here are some questions that will help you reflect:
- What motivates me to get out of bed every morning?
- What are some moments in my life where I felt most fulfilled?
- What are some of my core values?
Be Well Read
Expand your horizons. Know what is happening in the world. Do not allow society to dominate your thoughts and mind. Very often, we are influenced by the desires of others—our immediate society, parents, family, and friends.
It is good to know about them, but go deep within and discover what your own desires are. Listen to your gut feelings.
Read, observe, reflect, and act.
Create Your Own World
In this big world, create your own world. Know what is happening all around you. In this era of the digital world, we have forgotten how important it is to read books. Books are our best friends.
In fact, research has shown that we grasp and remember more information when we read from books compared to digital formats. But we must ensure that we read the right books. Intuitively pick up those books that resonate with your calling.
Get Your Values Right – It Is the Values That Shape the Future of Humanity
For generations, we have been led to think that material rewards and recognition count more than human values or being morally upright. We have been encouraged to follow the path of individualism at the cost of community and fraternity.
In fact, this is the direction in which the kind of growth pursued by the world has pointed us. The environment we live in has gradually inculcated this outlook of life.
The words we often hear during our growing years of college and university are: competition, future, jobs, income, investments, and similar concepts. There is nothing wrong with these words, except that we have gradually become their victims rather than their masters.
We know what we get if we work hard—a good degree, a good job, a nice car, a nice house, and appreciation and admiration from others. But we do not know exactly what we will receive by being honest, just, and compassionate.
However, no matter how much scientific and material progress we make, global problems will continue to prevail and endanger not only our lives but also the future lives of our children.
Values hold the root of our character. All these buildings, monuments, and even this life of ours will perish, but not our values—the values of kindness, integrity, and justice. Even death cannot perish them.
Nothing travels endlessly through time except our values—from generation to generation, era to era. Strong human values build our character, and our character designs our destiny.
Create a Better World by Being a Better Human Being
This is why it is important to develop ourselves before we begin to change the world. The solution to global problems will not just materialize from politics, great leaders, or science and technology alone.
The solutions will come from us living as responsible citizens of our communities, societies, countries, and above all, as citizens of the world.
As citizens of the world, our unifying force and strength must come from something that is not bound by nation, ethnicity, or religion, but from strong human values.