And emerging sages say they no longer attempt to please others all of the time—that they have achieved greater comfort with the idea of being a leader:
It has been very hard for me to see myself as an expert, especially after so many years in the role of student. I think it gets easier to trust myself over time. I have had enough experiences that add-up and say to me, “You have good instincts here.” This has resulted in my becoming more willing to speak my mind and see the value of that. As a result, I’m increasingly able to let go more of the “need to please everyone all the time.”
I feel that my leadership style is constantly evolving. Early in my career I felt more tentative in how I approached things, and now I have more confidence with the idea of being a leader. People had more confidence in me than I have had in myself. It is amazing the level of confidence that people have had in me! And, of course, I had to live up to it!
Stepping Outside Oneself
Emerging sage leaders ruminate about their growing awareness that a team of volunteers shouldn’t be pushed too fast. By moving at a deliberate pace, team members can arrive at the desired place—and this can also result in more volunteers joining in along the way. Many emerging sages say that driving a decision too fast often results in its implementation proceeding at a snail’s pace because corrective steps have to be taken. They conclude that it is worth taking time to think through a decision before making it, and to build strong interpersonal relationships in the process. For example, asking how a colleague’s fishing trip went might be just as important over the long run as leaping into action.
Download Article 1K Club
