Leadership Dojo: Gratitude, Hard Work, Bold Action, and Devotion

Leadership Dojo: Gratitude, Hard Work, Bold Action, and Devotion

• Posted by COACH ROVEL 

“Gratitude, devotion, hard work, and bold action. These words trip easily off the tongue. But they forge the soul of a samurai and lie at the heart of leadership. Practice them, and you will transform your life, as I did.”

“…Cynics may view gratitude, hard work, bold action, and devotion as simplistic notions undeserving of their attention. But observe the world around you. Note that ungrateful people are unhappy people. Note that hard work is the single most important determinant of success in life. Note how luck favors the bold. Note how devotion—to parents, to children, to superiors, to subordinates—benefits the devoted a hundredfold.

“Some may think these simple concepts apply only to followers, not leaders. But those who aspire to lead must first learn to serve. And those who would master others must first master themselves. The principles of leadership therefore apply equally to superiors and subordinates alike

Secret of Gratitude: Leaders must be grateful

Being a leader gives us an opportunity to serve others by showing them how to make things happen, making a stand for them and fighting with them to meet their dreams and goals in life. We are grateful to our followers since leading them is an honor and privilege. We learn a lot about anything and grow ourselves faster by being a leader. We learn more about our strengths and weaknesses as our followers became a reflection of ourselves.

Secret of Striving: Leaders must work harder than others

Since we work harder than others, we get more, we learn more, and we get the best of everything the situation and the circumstance has to offer. All the money and wealth flows to the leader. A leader who works harder gets to his/her dreams and goals in life faster.

Secret of Decisiveness: Act boldly at critical moments

It is not only the rewards and benefits that go to the leader, but also the responsibilities and obligations. The duty to protect the community, tribe and group comes with the package called leadership. We act boldly in critical moments, we never wait for somebody to take charge. We take all the credits and blames and face all the circumstances of our actions and decisions. No matter what happens, whether right or wrong, what is important is that we act and show our people that we are someone they can rely on.

Secret of Devotion: Dedicate yourself to your leader

A leader must first become a follower. A follower gives full devotion to their leader. It really feels overwhelming when a follower expresses his/her devotion to your leadership. For example, in our community, an apprentice would come to you and say: "I will devote myself in learning everything that is needed to know to be a successful entrepreneur so that I can be of use to the community and humanity, and contribute to our vision and mission." Such a powerful declaration of devotion moves and inspires the leaders.