Leaders are those that dare to go where noone has ever gone before

byThyEagle

188 followers

Updated 8 years ago

As a CEO, a former director, and multiple business owner I often met people who asked me questions. Why? Simply because they've either seen me do things they also want to accomplish. But most of the time they just aks me one or two questions and then go on their way and I never hear from them again, which is fine of course. But then there are those who cling to you like a mosquito. And although I really hate mosquitos, when it comes to training / education, discipeling, and/or parenthood I prefer a 'mosquito' over any other being!

See, I've learned to manage my time wisely, especially when it comes to investing my time for the sake of others. And this goes for my children, anyone I train or learn something, colleagues, and any other person that I meet. I am never ever gonna give them something tangible of worth to work with if they do not first show me that they're about doing business. I am not going to waste my precious time answering questions while the hearer isn't listening to me. Someone might be hearing me, but that doesn't mean he actually is paying attention to what you are saying. And if he's not putting in any effort to do so he or she is probably not worth spending energy for.

See, some people just want to ask you a question, and that's it. That's fine with me. But if you want me to teach you anything then I need your full attention and I need you to make a commitment to me so I can fulfill the roll of the teacher, and someone asking a ton of questions to me is a mark of someone who is teachable, and willing to be moulded and forget about his or her own 'wisdom'. Now, does this mean that I know everything? For sure not! I don't think I know that much and therefore I often ask questions to those that know more then I. But as for the things that I DO know, and people want to learn from me I live by this rule of commitment.

See, my goal in teaching leadership in anything to anyone is to make sure that person knows all that I know about it, and make him/or her surpass that and become better at it then myself. The reason for this being simple. If I have to make someone a leader then he or she will have to lead people somewhere. People only need to be led when they don't know what to do or where to go. So, in other words, a leader will have to go where others haven't gone before to be able to continue leading. So, whenever someone is asking me to teach him/her about leadership they have to be prepared to pay that price of going through unknown places, or in other words; be prepared to do things you're uncomfortable with. If you're not prepared to do just that then don't expect any leader to teach you anything because they won't waste their time on you if you're not walking the whole mile and beyond with them.

See, how is a tourguide gonna stand out from just any tourguide if he only shows the tourists all the places that all the other tourguides are also showing people? He will not make a name for himself, and will be just one of many of the same kind. But if you want to be more successful, and be a leader in your niche, then you have to come up with something better then showing tourists just the Eiffeltower or the Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty or the Grand Canyon as beautiful as they are.

What if you would search the world in your free time to find hidden treasures? What if you would find a small paradise on earth hidden somewhere remote in some bush that noone has ever been before? Would you treasure that? Or would you just share it with anyone?

I remember once finding this remote piece of beach at a lake in the middle of nowhere. When we went there on sunny days it was like our little private paradise. The pleasures of a real beach but without all the noise and the disturbance of hundreds of others around. Of course I told my family about the place so they could enjoy it as well. One or two more people knowing of the existence wouldn't hurt. And of course our best friends needed to know about this place. But we always told everyone we told about this place to keep it secret and don't share it so it will be our perfect spot. And of course they would not share it except with their best friends. Oh, and their parents and children of course! To make a long story short, a few years later when we went to 'our' spot again we couldn't even park our car anywhere near the place as it was crowded with tons of people who were having a nice day at 'their' secret spot.. Nowadays when I find a treasure like that I keep it for myself and don't share it with just anybody. Not even with those that say they will keep it secret.

But there are those few exceptions... Like the mosquito.... Like my sons who I perform magic cardtricks for now and then, and sometimes teach him a trick or two. But never the real good ones. Not the ones that leave people in awe about what they just have seen... But then there's my oldest son... Yeah, you guessed it right, a.k.a. the mosquito! who just won't stop begging, pleading, asking, wining about me not teaching him the tricks that matter. Giving me money to buy him the best decks of cards there is in the world, practising day and night simple tricks to convince me of his commitment. Clinging to me like crazy, buzzing in my ears over and over again the same words; "Daddy, pleeeeeeeaaaassseeee!!!!!!!!! I MUST learn that trick!!!! Untill, finally I am convinced of the fact that "Hey,he might actually really want this!?!?"

So, lately I've seen him invest both time and money in this, but even more asking me waaaaay too often to teach him tricks, that he actually convinced me that he wants to become better at this than me. See, for me it's more like a fun thing to do, but for him It might become an income and his job. Maybe...

I DO know this; he will become a better magic performer then I am, and he will be able to teach others, so a leader is in the making, and it's worth all of my time.

My son managed to break through the wall of my treasureroom and has free access to it now.

DO NOT be afraid to ask questions! DO NOT pretend to know it all! It will keep you from gaining wisdom and eventually from being succesfull, and you will NOT reach your goals! So ASK! It will be given to you!

And then finally; confront your fears! I If you have a weak spot somewhere, just go and make sure you get to practise that weakness, and make it a strenght.

If you would have met me 18 years ago, you would have a hard time talking to me.
I would answer your questions as shortly as possible, and you wouldn't have to expect me to take the initiative for starting any conversation. I had a serious problem: Fear of men.

This was actually so bad that I wouldn't look anyone in the eyes, and avoid meeting people. I rarely got out of my house. Me ending up like this had several reasons I won't get into right now, but the fact was that I was the worst communicator on earth probably.

You know what I did to get rid of this fear? I started speaking publicly before a live audience!!! I didn't have any experience, and not much to say, but I had one great motivation: fear.

Needless to say that I sucked at speaking publicly, made a fool of myself, and shamed both myself and the team that helped me setting up public meetings.

But here I am 18 years lately, haven spoken publicly internationally, having translated internationally for other speakers, and having performed live on stage with a band. I am talking crowds up to 600 people. Pretty good for a guy that couldn't come up with even an openingline for just a regular conversation....

I am not boasting that I am that good of a speaker or singer by now, but I did loose my fear by confronting it. And that's what counted for me.

What you use will be developed.

So, I encourage you all to confront your fears, ask as many questions as needed even if they get frustrated with you. In the end they might not really like you, but you will hear and learn what you need and prosper in what you are aiming to do.

So, buckle up once again, and enjoy the ride!