Rare Birds

The “leader of leaders” is a rare bird. Most people who are determined just to be themselves have enough difficulty simply doing so. Hence, they are not leaders of leaders but leaders of themselves. Still, the people not beholden to any hierarchy may struggle to be independent souls. I believe those who will be themselves are a relatively small number. Unfortunately, many humans are sheep and part of their herd. Thus, being unique, and distinct while finding ways to make a living despite our many forms of governance makes being one’s true self virtually impossible.

When I had to be part of a group, I did my best to follow the crowd, and the dictates of its leaders, although the leaders changed with the activities.  I was told I was a leader, again depending on our gang’s activities. I ran with them from about seven years old to when I enlisted in the Army.  School, on the other hand, was not necessary to me. As a kid during the Depression, I only thought about finding work and making a living. I liked the idea of a merchant marine job as it would provide a living and a way to see the world.

I felt my independence even when I was a member of my gang. I suppose being fearless as a kid facing an unknown world excited me. I loved that and looked forward to whatever adventures lay before me. My captain, the 3 Japanese prisoners of war on Okinawa, changed my life, but not my felt need for independence. The G.I. Bill offered me a quality education, and my need to be independent continued to manifest itself. The education system offered me incredible opportunities, but remaining independent as an entrepreneur won out. As you know, Lenette and I built a one-of-a-kind children’s organization and taught powerful people to understand their power.

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *