Yesterday, after a full day at Universal Studios with the kids, we arrived back at the house.
Exhausted, I was torn between the need to catch up on work or enjoy a much needed rest.
My six year old son had other ideas.
He decided that since the rainy skies had cleared and the brilliant sun was shining through the palm trees that the backyard, which ever so slightly resembles a football field was calling for frisbee time.
Reluctant due to the draw of work and resistant from fatigue of the day I at first passed. But he was enthusiastic, helping me focus on the positives, the sun, the warmth, how moving would get me, well…moving.
Drawn by his enthusiasm and energy, it was quickly clear to me that I would be well served to indulge in the experience he was selling.
So, Frisbee it was—a perfect way to enjoy the early evening sun.
We had a blast! He continued to perfect his toss and catch and I got the much needed movement, sunshine and fresh air that I was really craving.
A Skillful Leader
When my son decided what he wanted to do yesterday he was being a skillful leader.
I recognized this after I sat down yesterday evening and reflected on the day.
You see, leadership isn’t the sort of iconic concept of “master and commander.” That outdated concept it more dictator than leader.
Leadership is much more of an art—a way of being that bends life in your favor, reducing resistance, elevating engagement from others and taking out the need for force or pressure.
It’s the master skill of a life that works.
In this case my son, being six, might have resorted to whining or pressuring me. There’s a million ways in which he could have attempted to pressure me. All of which would have depleted my already fatigued state—only reducing the already slim chance of me tossing any flying discs.
Instead, wisely and perhaps intuitively, he engaged me by focusing on the positives. He made the outcome that he valued and envisioned, one I too wanted to be a part of. He led me when he could have hammered me.
I suspect this is testament to the idea that we are all born with the capacity to lead and inspire others. It’s less that we need to learn how to lead than to unlearn all the programming which is preventing us from being as effective in our lives as we can be.
It’s a myth that leadership is for the few. And leadership is not reserved for those “in power.”
The one thing about being a leader: It’s truly the art of having a positive, effective relationship with life—yours and all those whom with you come in contact.
It’s how to get things done. It’s how to give energy not take it. It’s the high road in a world where the lower roads are jam packed with stop-and-go traffic.
How to Re-Learn “The Art of Effortless Leadership”
Life is about results, there’s always something we’re trying to achieve—even when that something is nothing. Whether it’s building a massive new building or creating time for training or a bike ride, it’s life where our results represent our effectiveness.
It’s how easily and effortlessly we get things done.
Problem is many of us have learned to go about getting results the hard way: We work against others and ourselves. However discrete and floral scented we may think we’re being—it’s all the same.
That’s where real leadership takes over. Being a leader doesn’t mean being in charge in an org chart, it means being first in alignment with yourself, then it’s about being in flow and with, not against, others.
Or better yet, it’s having people with you because they choose to be. Having people choose to be on your side is a whole lot more engaging than holding a gun to their head. Once you walk away, the person who you lead will still be on your side, working with your best interests in mind; the other will turn the gun on you.
Why Leadership Matters and How to Do It
Being a leader is being with life, not against it; it’s working for the greater good.
That’s why I love the new book from best-selling author Robin Sharma, The Leader Who Had No Title (released yesterday!).
I’ve been a fan of Robin’s work since I first read his classic The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and I have no doubts The Leader Who Had No Title will be an instant classic.
Only problem with it is I think its title is limiting. I worry people may miss the message—thinking leadership is for someone else. After reading it, seems that the title could have been something along the lines of “The Art of Effective Living” or “ Living in Ease and Flow” or “Getting What you Want and What You Need, Effortlessly”, or perhaps “Results without Effort: Guaranteed”
All those capture some of what I got from Robin’s brilliant new book. Now it’s your turn to tell me what you find in these pages of this classic fable on leadership and life. (Read my review on Amazon here.)
3 Reasons Why You Should Act Today
In the interest of full disclosure, I was invited by Robin (via Twitter, which is pretty cool) to review his new book and be part of supporting the launch.
Nice invitation, but to be frank I get about 10 such invitations a week. Of course, there are only a few authors of Robin’s reputation and success in the world today—so his invite instantly warranted more time investment.
On this, the birthday of Robin’s new book, The Leader Who Had No Title I encourage you to seriously consider picking up a copy.
Yes, today, and here’s why:
1. A Book is like a Baby.
Books are like babies, they are born of great effort and love. A product of passion.
But unlike a baby, a book’s entire future and life are largely determined on its birthday. If a book doesn’t show some strength out of the gate all support is quickly pulled, regardless of how important, how impactful or how meaningful it is. It’s strictly a game of numbers.
Robin’s book is deserving of a life and you are deserving of his book.
2. Tomorrow You Won’t Take Action.
This message is here now—the invitation is fresh. Like so many other things floating in your “some day list” if you file it for later, for more consideration you may never do it.
I am confident that you will find this book a valuable and refreshing resource.
Hence, don’t leave it for later. Don’t close this post without making a decision. That may be not to act or to get one, but either is a decision you won’t have to invest any more cycles on.
3. For You, Not the Bonus Gifts.
Robin has inspired an impressive list of leaders from all walks of life to support this book today, to lead and inspire. And in so doing he’s offering a vast wealth of additional wisdom from each as an enticement to act today.
I invite you to grab a copy of Robin’s new book, The Leader Who Had No Title, today, because it’s a great book with valuable content that you will enjoy reading and benefit from for the rest of your life. Use the impressive bonuses to justify if you desire.
To Your Life @ Full Strength,
Shawn
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Shawn, I’ve always argued that children should be more involved in country and community leadership. They see things as they are, call it accurately and often makes such simple suggestions or ask incredible questions that us adults could never have thought of. All governments should have to interact with a Junior Council made up of under-11′s who would bring them back down to earth should they need. That and a child’s innert capacity to love. With them leading imagine the reduction in wars or scandals. True there might be a few more tears but a whole bunch more of fun, laughter, truth…..and teddy bears!
Shriyansi,
I completely concur true leaders nurture a team, and it’s all about choice and desire. A leader knows what it takes to create desire.
“Or better yet, it’s having people with you because they choose to be.” Truly, the only way to build a team is to nurture each member and have them *want* to come in to work (and everywhere else this applies) everyday. That’s a team in the true essence of the word. Those who can create this environment invariably invite success into their lives on a daily basis.
My favorite quote in this article is this:
“He made the outcome that he valued and envisioned, one I too wanted to be a part of.”
This is truly what leadership is all about. Making others want to be apart of your journey.
Great stuff Shawn.