Leadership #3

So, who knows us the best? That is, who are the people that witness us as we are to them in as complete a way as possible? It’s not ourselves, for sure, and we are not the witch asking our captive mirror, “who is the fairest one of all?” It is those we live with, our friends, perhaps, even our associates, and most certainly those we call our “Inner Circle” at work. They KNOW us.

If a leader, even a leader of leaders, we are on stage and bright lights highlight our flaws and strengths to these select few. Whether one or twelve that a leader considers their Inner Circle, they know their leader. Does a mate know their mate? Do children know their parents? Whether shared or not, we are all known by others close to us so much better than we know ourselves.

If this is true, as I’m convinced it is, how much better would our relationships be if we could be candid, vulnerable, and able to have dialogue with each other? Bear in mind that dialogue, when it takes place, creates a level playing field. There is no pyramid, no leader, no subordinate, and no child. Only people sharing thoughts and feelings. Is there a more powerful experience for people to have? All involved benefit. So, the leader who leads people is on stage even if their inner circle is only one. And like the King that believed he was dressed in elegant finery but was naked to the crowd, leaders are naked to their mates, children, and subordinates who are important to them.

It is said that nothing significant is easy. Relationships that foster honest growth are never easy, but most people can make it doable. It takes the leader I write of and have taught over many years. It demands that leaders be vulnerable, as witnessed by their key relationships. This becomes mutual and fulfilling.
Sy

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows

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