Have you ever thought about how movements get started? How did Beanie Babies get so wild? What about those lines outside the store waiting for an iPhone? The Secret was a worldwide phenomena. Have you ever been part of a movement? The Sixties were a mob=vement… I get people who ask me ” Di you go to Woodstock ? “ NO, of course not, I was 17 years old and lived in California and couldn’t even drive ! My MOther would have died if I had “hitchiked” to Woodstock… I did go to a Ravi Shankar concert at Stanford. I guess that was close to the movement as I got.
However, I did love the surfer movement. That was cool and the clothes were cute, cute guys and it was so fun.
The above were all movements of great success and whether you went to Woodstock or followed the Beatles or the Beach Boys…That sounds far more interesting than being part of a failing movement – and the world has certainly had its share of those. ( The Edsel, HItler and his Nazi movement, New Coke )
Is success just the rantings of mad marketing people? Perhaps that’s part of it, but the foundational philosophy is “find a need and fill it.” Then, combine that with a great strategy to create a movement – build it and they will come.
In this current political and economic crisis – as many refer to it – there is an outcry for heroes, for leaders, for someone with a great idea to step forward and “make things better.” We believe that one person can have the charisma to attract followers but at some point those followers will follow him/her right over the cliff because there is nothing behind the charisma and articulate smooth speech.
This empty leadership – counterfeit leadership – is found on every level of organizations, government, politics, churches, and even in families. People who put themselves first… the “me first, I’m number 1 ” mentality. ( which is a criminal thinking error) They want credit for everything, they don’t share, they are sure everyone is out to screw them…so they will screw you first. They abuse power, demeaning others at every turn, justifying their actions to promote their innocence.
Authentic leadership must be based on the substance of good character, values, and attitudes that can perform as a platform to launch the appropriate movement for change. I have held to the belief that true integrity is shown by those who experience major failure, major mistakes… total destruction in their own lives to rise again and accept 100% responsibility and say to those they have offended, ” What do I have to do to change ? ” Not wanting to remain in mediocrity and failure they continually grow in character and integrity to lead those around them without an agenda.
Effective leaders recognize the gifts and talents in those that they work with and encourage that growth and contribution. They feel good when others succeed. Their job is to inspire others to participate in the movement, not just follow. Real movements are not about the status quo. Personal improvement is never about being something you are not. Becoming you … being you is about authentic transformation and inspiring others to participate in the movement of “being ” authentic.
As a Mother I love to see my children succeed… but I have no interest in claiming credit for their job well done. There is no way on this earth I could convince anyone that I had anything to do with the great accomplishment of one of my sons who has been able to pole vault 18 feet…listen, I close my eyes, I can’t even watch. He did that all on his own… I can only claim my genetic contribution which I am sure has only to do with his fabulous good looks… ( of course) It’s easy for parents to loose sight of big egos out of control wanting to micromanage their childrens lives. I choose to be a humble observer, teaching and hopefully inspiring, encouraging and supporting them to leave the nest and fly on their own. Openly admitting my weakness, failures and mistakes and looking forward to being better for them and for myself.
And while I am making a move to become more intune with my own personal authenticity. … I am embracing my personal power to continue to eat cheetos – gosh I just love cheetos, as do my hips.
