Leading self before others

Before we start leading others, we are obliged to master and lead the self. That sounds strange, is it? Yes because it’s easier to hide in our own weakness, by being and acting macho with others by working so hard on dressing ourselves with its well. To be masters of others we need to be masters of the self first. Many times it’s easy to lead others than to lead yourself. I want to agree with many authors who have said that the greatest enemy we have is the self. When we master the self then we can master others. When we can control ourselves then we can control others. The self is defined as individuality (uniqueness), personality (character & attitude), or essence (spirit & soul) in the Oxford dictionary.

The self can be looked at in the body, soul, and spirit. Many times the body will dominate us, we begin to serve it and recoil under its authority. The body with great impulses eventually can ruin the spirit and make it bear the burden of a saltless being. To succeed at leading others we need to succeed at leading ourselves.

Let us look at the individuality each of us is unique and distinct, you will never find a replacement for yourself anywhere on planet earth, this means it’s only you with what you have to offer to the world. But when we don’t understand this we conform to the standards around us and loose our individuality. In leadership development, our individuality is the starting point of influence, of being an answer, of making change. Understanding this will set you free in knowing that your role on earth is divine but you have to raise and touch the untouched in you.

When we talk about Personality, we are looking at character said to be “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.”

In the next issue, we will talk about leading beyond self…

Allen. K. Baguma