There are thousands – maybe millions, of opinions, books and white-papers about leadership. Yet often, traditional resources rinse and repeat the same old concepts. I like to look to disparate sources for new insights on a topic.
Animal Medicine.
According to Jamie Sams and David Carson The Discovery of Power Through the Ways Of Animals, many Native American tribes believe that animals have certain powers, lessons or “medicine” which, when called upon provide healing, personal power, strength and understanding.
Behold The Mountain Lion: Lessons On The Use Of Power In Leadership.
Mountain Lion represents balancing power, intention, physical strength and grace. In human terms that would be balancing body, mind and spirit.
Mountain Lion asks that real leaders review the purpose behind their personal beliefs. When assuming the place of power, Mountain Lion advises that the first responsibility of leadership is to tell the truth: To know it. To live it.
The Animal Medicine of the Mountain Lion says that leaders who lead through tyranny or dictatorship have forgotten the medicine of truth. These leaders are tricked into believing that nothing else has validity except the ideas created by themselves.
What Are Your Intentions
So what are your intentions as a leader? Whether you are an organizational leader, a volunteer leader or family leader, how are you balancing the responsibility of your power?
What is your purpose behind your personal beliefs?
Are you able to transcend positional thinking to create a higher purpose that is for the good of the whole?
You will show up differently when you are intentional and aligned with the truth.
True intentionality will transform how you participate in the world.
True intentionality invites alignment and ensures integrity.
Intentionality is the bridge between current thought and creating a new reality. You don’t have to know how to do it or to have all the answers.
Your intentionality gives others permission and the opportunity to participate with you.
Real leaders know they can’t do it alone. They understand that others may choose to follow and the leadership lessons will multiply.
Follow The Lessons Of Mountain Lion
As a transformational leader, you balance your power of body, mind and spirit; you know and live the truth; you align your intentions with the good of the whole. Because of this, your leadership lessons will multiply and you will make your workplace and your community … and the world – a better place to live.
Marty Stanley, CSP, is a national speaker, author and consultant. She is committed to transformational leadership – one person, one organization at a time, so we can make the world a better place – because these leadership lessons will multiply. If you are ready to take your organization to the next level, in terms of productivity, engagement and profitability, call Marty today: 858-432-6764 or 816-695-5453.
martystanley@alteringoutcomes.com www.alteringoutcomes.com
For more information on being a Type T leader, watch this 1 minute video.
Or order the book on How to Be a Transformational Leader in a Bottom-Line World.
I have known and worked with Marty for about two years now and being intentional about what I do and aligning my thoughts, words and actions has made a significant positive difference in both my work and home life.