With spring the revival of Easter arrives and offers you this letter from Jesus:
Let us take advantage of this period blessed to meditate on the way of GROWING THE LEADER IN US
 
Leadership is a verb….not a noun. Leadership is action…..not a position.
Leadership is defined by what we do…..not the role we are in.
 
Leadership isn't the private reserve of a few charismatic men and women. It's a process ordinary people use when they're bringing forth the best from themselves and others. Liberate the leader in everyone……… and extraordinary things begin to happen.
 
Some people in "leadership roles" are excellent leaders. But too many are bosses, "snoopervisors," technocrats, bureaucrats, managers, commanders, chiefs, and the like. Conversely, many people who have no formal leadership role are excellent leaders. 
 
To lead is to show the way by going in advance.
To lead is to guide or direct a course of action.
To lead is to influence the behaviour or opinion of others.

In today's fast changing world, we all need to be leaders……. regardless of our formal title or role.
This starts with inner self-leadership and moves outward to influence, guide, support, and lead others.
The process of becoming a leader is the same as the process of becoming a highly effective human being.

Leadership development is personal development.
Leadership ultimately shows itself in what we do "out there"………..but it starts "in here."
It would be easy if we could all become leaders by following a simple set of steps. But the journey of personal growth means finding our own way.
 
There are, however, six critical areas of personal development based on timeless principles.
The distance we need to grow along each leadership dimension will differ for each of us…..but defining and continually growing along each of these paths is the way of the leader.
 
Strong leaders are well-rounded and constantly expanding their personal leadership across these key areas:
 
•    Choose Not to Lose

Whether we choose to focus on our problems or our possibilities is a key leadership issue. When we are faced with obstacles and failure…. those who can overcome adversity and learn from their experiences, turning them into opportunities, are the ones who will be truly successful.
 
•    Focus and Context

THE CORE OF MY BEING: This is central to our growth along all the other dimensions. Our Focus and Context is shaped by three vital questions:
  Where am I going? (my vision)…….
  What do I believe in? (my principles and values) and…….
  Why do I exist? (my purpose or mission).
 
•    Taking Responsibility 

IF IT'S TO BE, IT'S UP TO ME: 
Leadership means accepting responsibility for our choices in life. Leaders realise that life accumulates, that choice more than chance determines their circumstances. They refuse to succumb to the "Victimitus Virus" ("it's all their fault" and "there's nothing I can do").
 
•     Authenticity
 
GETTING REAL: Leadership isn't just what we do…….it's something that we are, which then drives what we do. Genuine leadership comes from within. It's authentic…..and based on honesty, integrity, and trust. We must ring true to ourselves by exploring our inner space, gathering feedback on our personal behavior, and ensuring consistency with our stated values and principles.
 
•      Passion and Commitment
 
BEYOND NEAR-LIFE EXPERIENCES: Successful people are energised by a love for what they do because it brings them ever closer to who they are. They overcome apathy and cynicism…..develop a burning commitment to their cause, and with discipline …… achieve their dreams and desires.
 
•      Spirit and Meaning
 
WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL: What is the purpose of our work……of our lives? Material success alone is not enough. Leaders seek within …..and find something more. In what is too often a mad dash from cradle to grave, we need to take time …..in work and life ……to nourish our inner selves.
 
•      Growing and Developing
 
FROM PHASE OF LIFE TO WAY OF LIFE: The popular goals of security, stability, and predictability are deadly. The closer we get to these dangerous goals, the more our growth is stunted. True and lasting security comes from constant growth and development….based on regular R&R (reflection and renewal).
 
•    Mobilising and Energising

PUTTING EMOTIONS IN MOTION: 
Leaders do not motivate with rewards and punishments. Whether at home or in the workplace….they energise people to motivate themselves. Highly effective leaders boost the energy of others with their passion and appreciation. They engage people's hearts as well as their minds. They get them involved and participating. They actively nurture the "being" or culture of the group……not just the "doing".
 
The more the world changes, the more leadership principles stay the same. Leadership principles are timeless. And they apply to all of us, no matter what role we play in society or organisations.
 
Excerpted from Jim Clemmer's  ‘Growing the Distance: Timeless Principles for Personal, Career, and Family Success.’
 
NATURAL  LEADERSHIP
 

Leadership exists on a continuum from managing self to managing others to managing the business. Natural leadership does not mean that you either have it or you don't. It does however mean that you are willing to assess your style and behaviour and that you are able and willing to learn and grow.
 
1. The only person you can change is yourself.

Self-management comes before managing others or managing an organisation. Understanding the impact of your behaviour is crucial to leadership.
 
2. You must feel comfortable being in a leadership role.

Leadership calls for authenticity. If you are not comfortable with the role, others will sense it and hold back on the full measure of whatever it is they have to contribute.
 
3. Be Flexible.

Being a natural leader involves being able to adjust your style to the skill level and dedication of others in any given situation. Reading the people/task mix requires skill, flexibility and intuition.
 
4. Natural leaders develop other leaders

Leaders of today must share skills, insight and power to bring along others who have the potential to lead. This includes giving others the opportunity to lead. Someone once said that leadership is like manure. Left in a pile it starts to smell really bad and does no good. Spread around evenly it promotes growth and doesn't smell bad at all.
 
5. Are you a good communicator?

As a leader, you must make sure information flows freely in all directions. The culture must be such that holding back information to strengthen one's own power or for any reason is absolutely not acceptable.

6. Leaders have to be accessible.

You have to create a culture in which people feel they can tell you the bad news
as well as the good news. You cannot isolate yourself or let others isolate you.
 
7. Take a back seat when appropriate

Leadership in modern organisations means sometimes fading into the background . . . when it is necessary to do so. Remember, you do not have to plan every tactic or lead every charge. Hire good people who can articulate your vision as well as you can (maybe even better) and then let them do it.
 
8. Leaders need to provide support.

Become a sponsor for someone else's idea or project. Make sure you provide the resources and structure others need to succeed.
 
9. Create a 'safe' culture

Leaders must create a culture that encourages risk and tolerates mistakes. In these times, playing it safe in business is the riskiest strategy.
 

'Natural' does not mean that one is necessarily born with all the leadership essentials. Leadership skills can be learned and this learning can only begin with effective self-management.

Easter news

CRI-EVH  13 Part 2

Crossword Suggestion for group activity

Diaporamas

Je continuerai
Les pauvres
L’homme qui plantait des arbres
Psaume de la création
Savoir être, savoir vivre, savoir aimer
Ta religion n’a aucune importance
Temples indiens
Un chauffeur de taxi