Becoming A Leader

To become a leader requires self-examination. We must explore who we are. Self-exploration can be disturbing. Aspects of ourselves will emerge that we may prefer not look at. As we journey inward, it can be helpful to keep in mind the metaphor of the hero’s journey.

I speak of the hero’s journey in my posting of March 5, 2006. The hero’s journey begins with separation from the familiar. The process of self-development moves us beyond the known and comfortable. There is no growth without conflict; that conflict may be experienced outwardly or within us. As we change, other people may become upset. We no longer fit their images or expectations of us. Inwardly we may experience tension and anxiety as new aspects of ourselves emerge. Our old identities are challenged. We begin to view ourselves as being different than we were before. This is both exciting and frightening. The process of development moves us beyond our comfort zone. If we are comfortable, we are not growing.

To separate from the familiar, the hero must accept the call to adventure. On this adventure the hero is confronted with obstacles and challenges. There are dangers to be faced. The challenges may come from without or from within. The most fearsome obstacles are generated from within. The hero confronts the inner demons and dragons. These monsters represent our dark side, our shadow. This consists of our fears and weaknesses.

But the hero is not alone on this adventure. Along the way there are guides and mentors. And by confronting and slaying the dragons, the hero discovers new abilities and powers. It is then the responsibility of the hero to return to the community to use these new skills and powers in service of that community.

Not everyone has the courage and determination to answer the call to adventure. That is why not everyone accepts their role to lead. We can choose to simply skim the surface of self-exploration, or we can dive deep and shine the light of self-reflection to penetrate the inner darkness. We mustn’t dive too deep too quickly, however. Patience is necessary. This is a lifelong process. We are to go only as deep as we can handle. We are not to overwhelm ourselves.

We also are to remember that we are not alone. We each may be on separate paths but we are in the same forest. We are within earshot of each other. We need to call out for support when needed.

The goal of the journey is to discern our calling and develop the power we need to fulfill that call. James Autry in his book Life & Work summarizes best the endpoint of the hero’s journey:

Find your people.
Find your place.
Tell your story.
Listen.

I will share again the questions that can help us discover these four points that Autry describes as important in life and work.

Find your people:
· Who is your community?
· Who are the people you are called to serve?
· Who is in need of what you have to offer?

Find your place:
· What is your role within your community?
· How do you fit into the larger whole?

Tell your story:
· What is the message you bring to your community?
· What is the gift you have to offer your people?
· How can you best share that gift?

Listen:
· What is the response to your message?
· Are you having the impact you intended?
· How are your people’s needs changing?
· How must you grow so that you may continue to serve your community?

Becoming a leader is a process that requires time and effort. That process involves answering the above questions. The answers do not come quickly or easily. So let us don our armor, take up our swords and shields, mount our trusty steeds, and venture forth on an exciting journey to discover the leaders we are as we answer the call to adventure—the adventure called life.