The Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was born into a relatively modest family, on a provincial island, far from the centres of power. Yet despite these humble beginnings, and during a time of massive upheaval, he became one of the greatest military and political leaders the world has ever seen.
How did he do this? What was the philosophy of leadership that enabled him to achieve so much?
Napoleon put it very simply. He said:
“A leader is a dealer in hope.”
No matter what situation you face, your first task in a time of change is to inspire hope and inspiration: first in yourself and then in other people. To realise that something better is possible. And then to create a vision so powerful that it inspires you and them to long to make it happen.
This is why the key attitude that defines leadership in this time of change is the attitude to look for the opportunities in the situation. And once you have this attitude, this skill, in place you can use this time of change to create and become more of whatever you want most in the world.
What steps do you take each day to create hope and inspiration, in yourself and in others? Would it be useful to get better at the seven steps to achieving this?
Adapted from Inner Leadership: a framework and a set of tools for building inspiration in a time of change.
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