| An important part of success in life is the ability to lead. | | | | out and meet new people and immerse yourself in |
| It is important that we not only be able to lead others | | | | new social situations. You never know when these |
| but be willing to lead ourselves. No one succeeds in life | | | | new experiences will help you in your leadership role. |
| by simply following others. Sometimes we simply must | | | | Fourth, search for and find answers in subtle clues. |
| strike a bold new path for ourselves. | | | | Look beneath the surface and constantly question. |
| Being a good leader is more than simply being at the | | | | This is an extension of the third step in that you are |
| forefront of the crowd. A leader must act. Too often | | | | seeking new knowledge. But this also means that you |
| in America, we simply accept that someone looks or | | | | will need to step off the traditional paths of knowledge. |
| sounds like a leader and too rarely do we actually look | | | | Don't simply read books in the literary canon or the |
| at the actions that leader performs -- and that is the | | | | bestsellers list. Take seminars rather than classes as |
| true test of leadership. | | | | there is more room for questioning and debate. Seek |
| However, in order to become good leaders ourselves, | | | | out the unconventional thinkers, teachers, and writers. |
| we need to concentrate on actions rather than simple | | | | Fifth, improvise if no existing solutions are available. No |
| appearances. The title of this article refers to eight | | | | excuses. Necessity is the mother of invention. How do |
| steps, but do not think of these as progressive steps | | | | you know it won't work if you've never tried it before? |
| like so many recipes or instruction manuals describe. | | | | Remember, not all approaches need to come from the |
| Instead, think of these as actions that you must take | | | | front. Look at your problem from all sides and |
| on a regular basis. | | | | systematically attempt different solutions in various |
| First, be alert to new potentials. "Reality" is not absolute | | | | combinations. |
| but rather subject to constant change. Think about | | | | Six, make at least one person you care about happy |
| inventors, explorers, and agents of social change who | | | | every day. If you make it a point to be thoughtful and |
| have achieved greatness. Some might simply say that | | | | caring for one person every day then soon this |
| certain people are successful because they are lucky | | | | thoughtful, caring behavior will become a habit and that |
| to be in the right place at the right time. Maybe so, but | | | | habit will spread to the others around you. Making |
| if they hadn't had their eyes open for the opportunity, | | | | someone else happy also feeds your own personal |
| then it wouldn't have mattered if they were in the right | | | | happiness. Just imagine how much better the world |
| place. | | | | would be if we all did a little bit more to spread |
| Second, accept inspiration from wherever it comes; | | | | happiness. |
| even your opponents. The wisest leaders constantly | | | | Seven, offer help, even if there's no apparent |
| study their competition. In war, politics, and business we | | | | advantage to you. This means more than writing a |
| constantly see examples of this research and | | | | check. It means giving of your time and energy and |
| reconnaissance. Too many times though a certain | | | | yourself. Sometimes it will mean helping someone you |
| study, many concentrate on finding a weakness to | | | | don't know and sometimes it can be a very personal |
| exploit. If you want to a be a leader of positive change | | | | action. |
| don't fall victim to this trend. Instead, if you find a | | | | Finally, never let negativity be your last word on the |
| weakness, make sure to avoid that pitfall yourself. If | | | | subject. If your final words are negative than no matter |
| you find the strength then find a way to strengthen | | | | how hopeful you may be about the potential of a |
| your own qualities to match. | | | | project or action the lasting impression you give to |
| Third, learn something new and promote in new ways | | | | others is one of negativity. Accentuate the positive |
| every day. This means you must continually seek to | | | | and you are more likely to see a positive outcome. |
| expand your horizons, internally and externally. Feed | | | | If you follow these eight action steps not only you will |
| your mind with new lessons and knowledge, but | | | | be a better leader but also lead yourself to a more |
| constantly expand your social horizons as well. Seek | | | | successful life. |