Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done. ~ Louis Dembitz Brandels
Yokimushi just graduated from college and got this exciting job with his dream employer. He was full of energy and keen to apply what he learnt. He soon got introduced to a seasoned engineer in the organisation, his supervisor. The supervisor showed Yokimushi what he needed to know to get his job done. As Yokimushi’s understanding of how the organisation operates grew, he saw an opportunity to apply his knowledge - he designed a more efficient way to get the job done with half the resources currently employed. He approached his supervisor to share this brilliant idea.
As Yokimushi went on and on about how much savings the organisation can make by implementing this simple adjustment to the process, he noticed the supervisor was shifting in his seat with discomfort. Just as he wound up selling this idea, the supervisor replied, "Yokimushi, we have used the existing processes for the last 15 years! I see nothing wrong with the process - we are always on target in beating the deadlines. I suggest you cool off your excitement… ". At that moment Yokimushi realised that the supervisor was afraid to try something new - he was content with status quo.
The worst position for an organisation to be in is being content with yesterday's success. Yesterday's excellence is today's mediocrity. You know an organisation is stuck in a certain status when the incumbents keep talking about the ‘good old days’. Such an organisation lacks a leader courageous enough to look beyond past achievements. They are crippled with fear at the thought of changing their current methods. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. It emanates from contemplating the worst without even trying. Fear blocks your mind from dreaming of something greater, bigger or better.
Eagles love and anxiously wait for storms, they love the challenge! At the gathering of the storm the lesser birds scatter to safety, but not so for the Eagle. This is the moment the Eagle has been waiting for. It dives right into the storm, locks its wings in a fixed position and uses the storm's wind to soar high in a fraction of seconds. They use the pressure of the storm to glide higher without using their own energy. Eagles take advantage of storm to conquer new heights, the very storm that other birds fear.
Tenacious leaders are like Eagles - they look at the possibilities in the challenges before them. They never settle at the impossibilities presented by the naysayers. They have the agility and courage to lead others where no one else dares to venture. A leader must be determined in their pursuit for better ways to compete in the market place. They must decide to do whatever it takes to conquer new territory and remain at a competitive advantage. They are certain of their goal and craft a path towards achieving it no matter the obstacles in the journey. As they encounter obstacles that threaten to detour them, tenacity is what keeps them focused.
Leaders must use storms to achieve their goals and not run from them. Storms are tools leaders can use for their development. They do not wish the storm was easier; they look to becoming better in the storm. Many are the challenges you face as a leader. You must see these challenges in new light as a channel to raise you to greater heights. You can only rise higher if you conquer your fear and face the challenge
Are you the leader who stifles change or do you inspire your followers to be creative and innovative? Are you more focused on maintaining status quo or constantly embracing change to remain competitive in your industry? If fear is what has kept you in 'what is' while barring you from exploring 'what can be' then it is time to overcome your terror barrier. You must confront your fear and focus on the possibility of greater achievements. What you fear the most could be the very thing that spurs you to the top.
Be tenacious, take the risk, explore new horizons - be an Eagle Leader!
