Wow!!!!!!!
Let me say that again... WOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!
It's been two years since my last blog, almost exactly to the date. So what have I been up to? And why am I starting today? I moved out of the home I was in for almost 10 years, almost married a man I rushed into a toxic relationship with (you'll get to read about that soon) and quit my job to pursue my dream of helping people full time. YAY CHANGE!!!
I'm a lifelong learner. So what I've been doing for the past month since leaving my job is taking a bunch of online courses. One is specifically to get me certified as a coach through the International Coaching Federation and the rest are a la carte courses that I feel will help me in several ways. One of those courses is Seth Godin's Leadership Workshop.
The first assignment in this class is to write about and reflect on the following topics:
What is leadership?
Instead of pointing to a leader, outline a moment in which someone you respect engaged in leadership.
I come from a background in the arts specifically Salsa and Caribbean forms of dance. I have been fortunate enough to witness multiple directors start new dance teams, choreograph new routines, and run professional rehearsals in order to become experts in this industry to the point where they travel around the world doing what was originally just a hobby. In my mind the best example of leadership was when one director attempted to take his "crazy" idea to Broadway. He rallied support from multiple teams in the New York & New Jersey areas, gathered a small group of devout dancers to assist in every way possible, and created a 2 hour show that although failed to arrive at his desired location did manage to make a significant impression on the local scene. I believe his ability to pitch his idea with passion and then ask for help in the areas where he needed it led him to go as far as he did.
Describe a moment when you chose to lead. How is it different from the rest of the time, when you are merely just managing?
It takes so much courage to lead. To stand up alone (at first) with an idea and introduce it; to grab folks by the hand and say, "Come with me. You won't regret it". To speak with such conviction for your idea that people are taken in by the passion and enthusiasm you emanate. The truth is I tried it only once and failed. Was I not passionate enough? Did I speak to the wrong crowd? I don't know. But I'm ready to try again. WHOLEHEARTEDLY. That's why I'm taking Seth's workshop and that's why I'm back to blogging... on my website... for the world (hopefully) to see.
Do you agree that leadership is a choice?
Yes I agree that leadership is a choice. I also believe that people feel called on a deep level to lead. The choice comes when you either pay attention to the nagging feeling of "We can do something bigger" or you ignore it. You continue to ignore it and find ways to numb yourself to it and maintain a life of status quo.
Leadership is about making a change. A change that might not work. If you do the work alone, you're an artist. If you get other people to do it with you, you're a leader. Going forward, then, what is the change you are trying to make?
I want to rally people into loving themselves more, becoming more self-aware, and demonstrating more compassion for themselves . Then I want to help people turn that around and spread it into their communities. Simple, crazy and possible. I know it is.
So there you have it mi gente, my 1st attempt back into blogging. I think what I'll do is put video into my newsletters for you and if you're inclined you can come here and read my words. Hopefully they come to you at useful moments when you need support and/or strength to lead in your own way.
Love you! Peace in... Peace out... Peace.
Brenda
