In ancient occasions the totem pole was a symbolic expression of past generations. It presented details about a tribe’s identity–a kind of linear -understanding of generations that came ahead of them and the leaders who showed them the way. It enforced group solidarity and offered a important relational context to their lives.
The totem pole was worshiped and ritualized. The history of a complete tribe could be understood by this one particular linear expression. Symbolic communication, as a group organizing technique, is also located in law firms. Law firms proudly list their partners’ names on letterhead and post them on doorways. Typically some of the names are symbols of the previous–a lasting recognition of those who came prior to as properly as those who are at present carrying the torch of the firm’s traditions into the future. This symbolic communication portrays the history of a firm’s leader-ship and is an indicator of predicted performance. But what takes place when the firm’s previous is forced to yield to the firm’s future? When it becomes essential for the firm to reinvent itself and set out new organizing principles that match its vision–when the old belief method is no longer in sync with the requirements and demands of altering markets and clients? Most firms are facing this challenge ideal now, and some are not even aware of it. The partners I spoke with clearly recognized the will need to re-invent themselves or threat sacrificing growth and prosperity.
Are You the Leader?
Who amongst you will lead the charge? This is a incredibly personal decision that really should not be taken lightly. It will rely not only on your own willingness to take on the challenge, but also on the willingness of the key partners who make up most of the energy base at your firm.
If you are up for the challenge, accept this know-how and get on with top. If not, discover the person in your firm who is prepared and in a position to lead and provide that person all the help you can. You will soon understand that the quality and commitment of your help for this particular person will be recognized as an essential kind of leader-ship in its own appropriate.
The Genetics of Leadership
It is been stated that some individuals are born leaders. That may well be accurate, but for most of us, leadership is an acquired ability that comes from our thoughts-set and our need to impact positive adjust. Similarly, individuals are not born extraordinary. Rather, they select to achieve extraordinary items.
As recently as 2003, scientists discovered that our organic traits are not “set in stone.” (See Matt Ridley’s Genome and Nature through Nurture.) Rather, our genetic code–especially the code accountable for our brain function–is neither unchanging nor unchangeable. As we respond to the challenges and stimuli in the planet, so do our genes. Depending upon our needs and the degree of our determination, distinct formulations of our genetic code are activated. This outcomes in the emergence of a new pattern of genetic guidelines. Contrary to what scientists formerly believed, our genes stay active, malleable and fluid throughout our lives.
Till these discoveries were created, the received wisdom was that the traits that enable us to consider like lawyers or strive for excellence or uncover the courage and charisma to lead had been handed out to us–or not–at birth. It was taken as truth that our neural makeup was mainly dictated by the genetic code we inherited from our parents. If we have been fortunate adequate to have inherited “smart” genes, it was anticipated that we were destined for greatness if the opposite occurred, we had been destined to be the village idiot.
In reality, the purpose so few of us break out of the mold is not due to genetics at all. It really is since of the fact that, strange as it may well sound, most of us surrender to our strengths rather than engage our weaknesses. If we have a tendency to be naturally gifted in mathematics, we gravitate toward mathematics. If we show an early talent in the arts, we gravitate in that path. It really is just much easier to rely on our current strengths than it is to develop new strengths from scratch.
yoursite.com and theorist Carl Jung described this irony in his book Psychological Kinds:
“Experience shows that it is hardly possible for any-a single to bring all his psychological functions to simultaneous improvement. The really circumstances of society enforce a man to apply himself initially and foremost to the differentiation of that function with which he is either most gifted by nature, or which delivers his most powerful means for social good results. Pretty frequently, indeed as a general rule, a man identifies himself far more or much less fully with the most favored, hence the most developed function.”
Considering that Jung’s time, however, neuroscientists have discovered that the human tendency to adhere to the path of least resistance is not merely ironic but counter-productive. We now know that the brain grows stronger, developing at a a lot higher level, when we force ourselves to assume in new and diverse approaches.
Till now, you could not have thought of yourself as a leader. But that is no explanation to believe you can not turn into 1 if your motivation is strong adequate. The first question to ask your self is this: What does it mean to be a leader?