Lead by Action, Not by Position

“Effective leaders understand that there is no difference between becoming an effective leader and becoming a fully integrated human being”

- Warren Bennis

Better Leader = Better Human

The skills that make them better leaders also make them more successful, confident, and contended human beings.

One of the most important sets of skills required in this dynamic world is the skills of leadership. This has become increasingly evident as we have attempted to adapt to the ever-increasing changes in our society and workplaces over the past century. As we take charge of our own destiny and intend to influence the destinies of our families, communities, organizations and our planet, the necessity of effective leadership ability has become increasingly obvious.

Effective leadership is one of the keys to thrive in the new age. But what is leadership, and who has it? Can you develop leadership ability, or is it something you must be born with? Some say leadership has to be learned and earned. Others say leadership is a gift that cannot be taught.

Leadership can be taught. Leadership is not an exclusive club for those who were born with it.

In the emerging views of leadership, however, leaders are able to influence simply because they are 'bosses' or 'commanders'.  Rather, leaders are people who are passionately committed to create a world to which people want to belong. This commitment demands a special set of talents and abilities to effectively and ecologically translate their vision into action

Leadership blooms when the soil and weather is right, but the seed comes from within. So the only permission you need to begin is your own. The moment you say to yourself, ‘I am a leader,’ you have moved beyond your comfort zone and taken the first step on the journey.

Understand the reality behind the word leadership– leaders act as only action creates change. Leaders are the persons who achieve results as per their intentions in a velocity which is far greater than average people. They move things and excite action. They bring out the transformation in people and change how they think, behave or communicate. In order to do so, they stimulate and manage the various processes that make up the pathway between vision and action. Leaders commit themselves to take massive action consistently to realize their dreams. And by having a purpose behind their actions, they prevent themselves from falling into the trap of mistaking movement for achievement. They think of acting in multiple ways to do something in order to improve their results.

For working out an effective action plan, the leaders seek answers for their questions to first get the clarity. Some of the important questions are:

1) Where are we going?

2) Why are we going there at all?

3) How do we want to get there?

4) What resources do we have to support us?

6) What are our limitations and our strengths?

7) In what constraints we need to work?

8) What traps do we need to avoid?

9) Do we really have a good map?

There are a few key characteristics of leadership-in-action:

1) The actions are backed up by a clear vision and mission.

2) The actions are future oriented based on what works in the long run.

3) The actions are focused on others: “How can I contribute in other lives? Or how will I help my customers achieve their business goals”

4) The actions are aligned with their personal values and ethics.

5) The leaders take some steps to create a pathway between their vision and actions:

6) Provide inspiration and motivation by forming the vision into a mission and creating community within a system.

7) Create the strategy for manifesting the vision and mission by defining the values, culture and path for reaching the desired state.

8) Create the structure to make the culture and path concrete through specific tasks and relationships.

Before setting the foundation of my venture – ‘Thoughtful Engagement’, I reflected upon these questions for myself.

1) My vision is to create a platform for people who intent to thoughtfully engage with people to support them in their evolutionary growth and self-mastery.

2) In relation to this vision, I am committed to my continuous improvement and upgrading myself as my capacity to lead depends on my capacity to grow.

3) My mission is to support people to be happy, successful and fulfilled through material and spiritual abundance while having fulfilling relationships.

4) I am committed to this vision and mission because I believe we are here to serve and the greatest joy is experienced by making a positive difference in someone’s life.

5) I value growth and converting my knowledge into wisdom with spiritual understanding that resonates with my belief system.

6) With the help of my highly contextual and practical solutions, I am committed to make learning and development, so engaging, enjoyable and effective that it is embraced as a lifelong pursuit by the society at large.

7) I am extremely passionate about conducting personal and professional development workshops, seminars and coaching programs that empower the participants to attain their next level of success, fulfilment and self-mastery.

8) I believe that people can truly grow and change their lives through the acquisition of new skills and abilities.

9) To accomplish my vision and mission I will use my capabilities to identify, organize, and articulate the key principles and skills of holistic leadership that I have learnt from various behavioural sciences and philosophies and by modelling effective leaders throughout the world.

10) My plan is to create programs, seminars, manuals, books, mobile apps, CDs and other tools that can be provided to individuals, organizations and social systems worldwide.

11) This plan will be implemented in the context of a global network of people who are committed to promoting the progress of all humanity.