Be Tough. Be Courageous
We live in an age where people demand instant gratification and immediate rewards for minimum effort and expect that every challenge be coded with a paint-by-numbers solution.
It is also an era in which people are conflicted between how different and unique they imagine they are, yet painstakingly map themselves to others as their analogues.
Without doubt, there are immense social, cultural and economic pressures on us to conform, to go along, to blend in with common thinking and behaviours.
So, it is exceptional for people to take a principled stand, to express an alternative view, to act out a unique solution, because this often requires them to stand alone.
To stand out in an age of conformity is tough. It is courageous.
It is rare to find people who are tough enough.
And by tough we almost never imply physically tough (although that too on occasion).
Influential Leaders stand up and stand out.
It is an Apex Skill to withstand the pressures of convention, group thinking and crowd behaviours.
Influential Leadership equips and activates us to go first, to influence and shape events, conditions and circumstances that persuade others to be and do better.
Yes, Influential Leadership demands that we be tough enough.
To be tough we must be courageous.
Let me tie up the two infographics on offer today.
The first one carries through the theme of practicing principles in life and Leadership to keep us firm and grounded.
You will recall the Note commemorating the 60th anniversary of Mr Mandela’s statement at his trial (Note #1724: Refer here) in which we discussed the embedded character of principles in the practice of life and Leadership.
Mr Mandela was willing to live, or die, for his principles.
That is tough. It is courageous.
The two quotes in the second infographic bring together three essential elements to our Leadership practices:
- Moral courage is the most demanding, difficult and rare form of courage. Influential Leaders do it.
- Yes, we must raise our voices, speak out when there is wrong and injustice. But that is only step one.
- The necessary element that follows the vocalisation of the matter is action—we must do. The Influential Leadership System is saturated with the call to action—what we refer to as the doing.
Being tough enough—being courageous—is bound up in the practice of Influential Leadership.
We choose to go first, to stand, even if alone.
Your daily life is filled with Leadership Moments, some of which demand that you stand up, speak out, and act!
When you choose to lead, you also choose to be tough enough. Be courageous.
Regards,
Colin @ Karoo
We Activate Apex Skills!
Leadership Weekly Note: 1924.060524
e: colind@karoo.world
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