Leadership and Self-Reliance

Many years ago Emerson, in his Essay oncare for and perhaps love, that we in fact love
Self-Reliance, wrote on the notion that no matterthem.
how hard one might try to imitate or copy theWe may decide not to say or express that
behaviour, life-style, attitudes or attributes ofemotion to someone, assuming, perhaps, that
another, one can never be other than one's self.they already know our feelings. In failing to tell
He went on to explain that it is in devoting oursomeone something of such importance, we may
time and energies, not to aping those of othersmiss the opportunity of enriching their experience
whom we may very well consider to be ourand creating a moment of joy and happiness for
betters, but in tilling that plot of ground that hasthem. If, on reflection, we decide we will tell them
been given to us to take care of and maintain,tomorrow or later, then, although we may repeat
that we realise true accomplishment andand affirm our feelings for them on other
achievement.occasions, we, nevertheless, can never make up
That, "plot of ground", that Emerson referred tofor the lost moment when we decided to remain
is where we are all at. It is, for all of us, the heresilent on the issue.
and now of our lives. It is, in the context of ourWhat has all of this got to do with "Leadership",
lives, the moments that we have to live andone might ask. Leadership comes not from books
share. It is, when it comes to calculating what thatand training courses, not from imitating past or
actually means, the seconds of our time.present heros and models of good leadership,
In the "seconds of our time", we are in the drivingalthough they each have their merits, but from
seat of our life's journey. We are in total control.within. Leadership models can be taught.
We can determine and control our thoughtLeadership roles can be modelled, copied and
processes; we can decide whether we wish to beimitated, but authentic leadership is innate to the
happy or sad or, indeed, we can decide to let aindividual.
plethora of outside influences determine whetherIt is not the preserve of four or five star
we are to be happy or sad; whether we canGenerals, nor the exclusive birth-right of
enjoy the day or write it off as disappointing and,Presidents, Prime Ministers, Prelates or Princes.
perhaps, hopeless.Leadership lies within and history bears testament
Within the "seconds of our time", to be preciseto acts of enormous courage and forbearance
the 60 seconds that constitute the minutes of ourhaving been executed by extraordinary individuals
hours and days, we are the Masters andwho emerged from the circumstances of the
Mistresses of our destiny. We are alive, aware ofmoment and inspired and encouraged others to
life and using it to our choosing. Yes, our ownseize the moment and begin to live their lives.
choosing. We are either active or passiveThey took charge of that plot of ground that
participants in these precious moments.was given them to till, in what ever circumstances
Awareness of the potential and richness of thosethey found them selves. Carpe Diem. Seize the
seconds, enables each of us to do and say whatDay. It goes by at a speed of 60 seconds per
we choose. We can decide to tell someone weminute.