Kouzes Chapters 1 & 2

        The first two chapters engage my mind and make me think of the different speakers I have listened to. One of the key points mentioned in the first chapter is that leadership is a process. I think it is important to understand and not to become discouraged when different challenges arises. Some of the best and most influential people in history failed numerous times. However one does not focus on the failures but rather the successes.
      "You make the difference" is one of the subtitles in the first chapter. This is crucial in leadership and reminds me of a speech I did at Carrol College this summer. You can not be successful leader if you don't believe in yourself. Believing in yourself may mean surrounding yourself with someone that can help you overcome an insecurities to develop that belief. The process of developing the leader within you will only flourish if you by into your vision first and that may mean linking arms with someone to help you. Which means there has to be a vision to begin with. Just like we need a blueprint to build a house or a road map to get to our destination, we need that same kind of guide for ourselves. 

Colin Powell & Zainab Salbi

One of the key qualities of a leader is purpose. Without purpose there will be a blurry vision and can lead to ultimate failure. A clear vision provides with the blueprint to guide others and is a tool that encourage teamwork. There is nothing more frustrating than volunteering or helping someone and when you show up no one has a clear direction. A lot can be accomplished when the tools are in place to hit the ground running from the start.

 A leader can not have purpose without commitment. Without commitment how can a leader expect followers to step alongside and link arms? One must cast aside any insecurities that create doubt and take charge. The worst that can happen is failure but an optimistic point of view will learn from that failure. 
     As a leader one must be willing to change and to take risks. Zainab share the story about the woman that finally one day had enough and was willing to risk the cost of change. It was time to change the outcome of how she allow her husband to treat her. As a leader she initiated the change which set in motion change for the rest of her life and for future generations. One must be willing to embrace the change and be committed and prepared for the outcome!

Colin Powell speaks about leadership

Leader In Me

The leader within me

Patiently waiting to be

Ferociously stirred

While sitting at an idle

It longs for the spark

Waiting to be ignited

So all the world can see

Potential that was harnessed

At last is set free

The leader within me