TRUSTING THE LEADERSHIP PROCESS

The mighty Mississippi River moves slowly at times,only to rapidly speed up in the narrows. Then as it reverses direction and it appears like it is off course returning to the start... only to reverse itself again as it heads to it's destination, a total of 2,348 miles. If you were in a kayak on the river, you might get nervous and think you were going in the wrong direction. If you trusted the flow you would know that it was a temporary setback and not get out of the boat and give up on your journey because you trust  that if you stay the course, you will arrive at your destination. The journey of extraordinary leadership is like the river...it has many reversals, setbacks,failures and losses. You will plateau,slow down, stand still and then speed up and experience the "rapids of growth". All of this movement is a natural progression in your evolving process of being an extraordinary leader or coach. This is a process no different than those you lead experience. We are all in the same boat so to speak and this is the point where compassion for each others journey takes place. Only the great leaders and coaches of all time acknowledge,trust and accept this natural process to be so. When you grow daises, you would never think of pulling them up in order to accelerate their growth as they break through the soil for the first time. You trust that they will grow when ready, one millimeter at a time. The journey of evolving as a leader and coach may be slow. No need to panic or be fearful. After 35 years of functioning in leadership and coaching capacities, I imagine that I am perhaps only half way there still experiencing the setbacks and failures, learning from them and continue to go forward because  I love the ride...it has been an amazing journey of growth, fulfillment and joy amid the setbacks and failures. To help you with the process remember the following:

1)it's not about you, it's about them.
2)stay emotionally engaged to them, love them for their pure intentions.
3)know the difference between what you can and can not control. HINT: you can't control them.
4)forget about outcomes and focus on the process.
5)be real,be open,be receptive and be service oriented.
    
    Let me say that I do not pretend to have answers... just some observations. It has been said that there are two ways to obtain wisdom: PAINLESSLY from a teacher or PAINFULLY from life. I have discovered that the latter is far superior. You must learn to be a warrior leader through the ups and downs like the river. I simply offer practical guidelines to help you to trust and stay the course on these unchartered and turbulent waters of extraordinary leadership. MEDITATION, I have found, is one way to help stay focused,calm and relaxed throughout this process. Read my book, "The Way of the Champion" for more on how to develop the skill of meditation.