Learning Leadership

Chapter 4You Have to Believe in Yourself

Up to this point in this book, we've made three bold assertions, all supported by research evidence. Everyone, including you, is born with the capacity to lead. Leaders have an enormous impact on the engagement and performance of their constituents. And, you are already leading, just not frequently enough.

Now let's do a reality check. Do you believe these statements? Do you believe deep down that you are capable of becoming a better leader tomorrow than you are today? Alternatively, do you believe that there's not a whole lot you can do to improve? Either you have it, or you don't? These are not trivial questions. They get to the heart of the matter. They get to the very belief that you have about yourself.

Underscoring this same point is an old Native American parable. It conveys the message that who you become is strongly influenced by the image you have of yourself. Those assumptions strongly influence the actions that you take. It goes like this:

One evening, an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson thought about ...