You're not a "Real" Leader!

A very challenging question we all face and come up against in these times.. what will it take for us to step us, rise up and lead us into a better world?  This below quote has been serving me well lately and reminding me to let go of the illusions of leadership... it is exactly us!

Enjoy and please share with others you care about.


Leadership and Liberation- by Sean Ruth page 38-39
"We are presented with models of leadership who are apparently, supremely self-confident and competent, passionately dedicated, convinced of their own correctness, single-minded and fearless.  For many in leadership roles who want to make a difference, however, this is not how it feels to lead.  They struggle with doubts about their intelligence or their competence, they feel scared, hopeless, or powerless at times, they get confused about what makes most sense or they are trying to juggle a number of competing demands on their time and energy while they pursue what they want to achieve.  In the midst of all this, it is easy to lose sight of their significance as leaders.  The messages that comes across is that real leaders do not struggle, that real leaders lead effortlessly.  The presence of doubts, fears confusion, exhaustion or discouragement can be taken to mean someone is not a real leader.

The reality is different.  Leadership is not about having no struggles.  It is not about finding it easy.  Umberto Eco said that the real hero dreams of being an honest coward like everyone else, that they are always a hero by mistake. Leadership is about not letting the struggles stop us.  It is not about never making mistakes or having to know it all. It is about giving ourselves permission to get it wrong and learning from what happens.  It is not about looking as if we have no difficulties.  It is about being able to show our struggle and not pretending to be what we are not.  Because we may find it difficult does not mean we are not real leaders.  Overcoming the difficulties, the feelings, or the blocks in the way is what leadership is about.  Everyone has this potential and one of the first steps towards realizing we do not ahve to be perfect before we start (to lead)!"

BE THE CHANGE with Acterra

Acterra.org offers a new unique 9 month Environmental Leadership course, aptly named Be the Change, in honor of Ghandi's global influence to take on what you want to see in the world personally.

“Be the Change is a remarkable forum that embodies the new environmentalism – it integrates the thoughtful contributions of top-notch environmental leaders from industry, government, and social movements alike.”

Here is a personal reference from yours truly to share the details of this new program:

Dear all prospective students,
I attended this breakthrough new style course in 2008 to 2009 as the second class. Over the needed 9 month period we covered all the major environmental issues facing us on a local level and offered the needed global perspective too.
During the course I took on a large scale project, assisting SF City Hall with Earth Hour 2009. I stepped in as a passionate skillful volunteer on this large project including major players of WWF, PGE, BOMA and Esurance company, the main supporter. Taking on a social project in your community is so very powerful and you will make wonderful connections to achieve larger than self goals quickly. Having the support of fellow classmates and the accessible instructors was crucial and offered perfect resources.
The monthly classes offered us the time to really be active using the new knowledge of each issue, realizing so many are overlapping and all encompass in the modern environmental movement.
Currently I have changed careers from the Travel business to new entrepreneurial sustainable projects and products. I am starting a Sustainable MBA program in 2010 with the Presidio Graduate School while working with a worldwide project to rebuild Haiti with Bamboo! WOW...
Please feel free to contact me for questions and congrats on seeking a new way to BE THE CHANGE!
Best regards,

Jared Brick
EcoWarrior2012.blogspot.com 
jradbrick@gmail.com