“I don’t go by the rule book. I lead from the heart, not the head.” Diana, Princess of Wales
Inspired by my two guests who featured recently on Focus on WHY, today’s focus is on leadership. Believing that the future favours the brave, rebellious leader, Jackie Fast, explains why traditional leadership models no longer work and how new generations of workers now seek meaning, purpose and value.
In his episode, Tony J Selimi promoted the importance of the changes needed to be made in leadership within the business world. Tony believes that heart, values and service-driven leadership, entrepreneurship, personal self-mastery and spiritual development all play an important role in our wellbeing, the future of work, healthcare, education and governance. “Our mind is the engine of our reality. In being able to see the unseen, you feel totally empowered from within. Trust in yourself. Believe in yourself and invest all you have in all you want to create.”
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, is another rebellious leader who is paving the way by showing us how it is possible to lead with meaning, purpose and value. “One of the criticisms I’ve faced over the years is that I’m not aggressive enough or assertive enough or maybe somehow, because I’m empathetic, it means I’m weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.”
Meaning, purpose and value are not new concepts in leadership yet they are now becoming more prominent in the workplace moving into 'must-have' as opposed to 'nice-to-have' qualities.
I am looking forward to reading Jackie Fast’s new book, Rule Breaker: Rebellious Leadership for the Future of Work to gain more insight of what she believes the future landscape of the workplace to be. However, what I do understand is the importance of the role that community plays in today’s world and how that filters through across all levels of society. Together we are able to work towards a collective betterment of the world.
Many Focus on WHY guests have spoken of community, collaboration, hope and change. With a sense of renaissance in the air, the next generation of leaders are growing up in a fast-changing world with a very different focus on what constitutes leadership in the 21st century.
Kul Mahay said in Focus on WHY episode 022, “the mark of an outstanding leader is not how good a leader you are, but how many leaders you create.” He explained the absolute need for versatility as an effective leader and he also spoke of the critical need to master the art of inner leadership.
As a leader you have the power to change the world through the transformation of how people think. However, before you lead and influence others, you need to know where you are leading yourself. Which direction your inner compass is focused? Are you leading from within?
Who you are, what you do and what you have is all within your control. What you want to have determines who you become. Inner leadership starts with focusing on what excites you, what you want to see happen, how you will make that happen and why.
Leadership comes in all different forms in life in the home or at work however integrity, self-awareness and the art of great communication form its foundation in any situation.An advocate of midlife beginnings, I believe that it is never too late to be what you might have been and that you can make a difference and an impact no matter how small you may deem it to be. First, believe in yourself before you can expect others to believe in you.
I have chosen a leadership role in life where I shine the light on purpose, fulfilment and curiosity to empower others to forge their own paths. My chosen mission and responsibility is to gift a living legacy of inspiration, insight and knowledge to create long-lasting, positive ripple effects.
What is your mission and responsibility in life?
“Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” Michelle Obama
ACTION POINT
Focus on what leadership roles in life you undertake and who you help by doing so.
Amy
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