Too often I hear of a crisis of leadership. However, I have never heard anyone talk about a crisis of passivity.
Too many people are contemplatively waiting for a solution to their problems by that dishonest means found in the minds and work of others. The crowd looks like a tame herd when it waits on third parties for the free delivery of its output.
The contradiction is great and the proof is there for all to see. One alone does much although many do more. Independence is often seen as the end, were it not for the higher and often misunderstood interdependence. The power of the individual grows with the power of the people as a collective, and this is why leadership is necessary. And so it is what you do in the dark that brings you to the light.
It is undeniable and it would be foolish to ignore that a well conducted orchestra sounds better than one without a baton. However, no violin reaches that lectern without the original initiative that mixes discipline with talent, perseverance with tenacity, creating a vision and making it a reality. Then, its highest level is reached in collaboration, precisely when personal talent converges with collective talent, harmony and harmony, shared values, passion and faith.
Those who understand the importance of proactivity as the first condition, emerge and overcome in the midst of a sea of waiting liabilities. It is not for nothing that this is Stephen Covey’s first habit in his crucial contribution to guide us to high effectiveness. It’s up to you first, with all the resources at your disposal.
For this and much more that is not enough in a blog capsule, I believe that leadership is an overrated factor. Because it is not a matter of others but of oneself, because it is a matter of jumping into the water if you want to swim, of kicking at the goal if you want to score a goal. It is a matter of personal initiative first, it is a matter of putting everything into it, it is a matter of refusing to join the useless herd and to emerge on one’s own merits.
Who expects leadership to get a job? Is leadership necessary to start earning in free time? Is it leadership what an unemployed person lacks or is it rather the guts to go out there selling “roosters” or a new “churchilleta”?
In a culture that popularly exalts necessity and assaults virtue, not a few find pride and success unworthy. Sawing the floor is for the mediocre. The “choteo” is common practice of losers. Expecting a leader to solve your life is a fraud to your existence.
That said, when you have a person in front of you proposing something extraordinary -under Derek Sivers‘ observation; video at the end- follow him, because it will be the followers who will create the movement. Without followers a leader has no chance, and for this reason, I hope we can agree that it is a matter of one and not the others.
Leadership is overrated and therefore, it will always be your life, your drive and daring. So don’t wait a moment longer. Do it.
