t change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for only changing my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my death bed, I suddenly realize if I had only changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have changed the world.”

Ambitions are both good and necessary. But if we try to change what is around us before changing ourselves, our sphere of influence will shrink to molecular levels. As

Take a moment to paint a mental image of someone you hold in esteem as a leader. Focus on appearance, actions, habits, and life-style. When your picture appears sharp and clear, ask yourself these questions:

o What specific personality characteristics does this person possess?

o How does this person relate to others, professionally and socially?

When you’ve examined thoroughly the qualities that you feel make this person a leader, ask yourself one more questions: Was this person born with such well developed leadership traits? The answer, though it may be startling to some, is that they are all learned, whether in childhood or later in life. Erase from your mind now, any traces of the myth that “leaders are born, not made.”

For some this may take away the last vestiges of hope, as one may think that his or her only hope for achieving effective leadership are the qualities with which they were born. For others, this may be the first bright rays of the dawn. Let me say to those in both categories, do not be discouraged. There is hope. Possibilities begin here because the development of your leadership abilities lies in your hands. This is where you have the opportunity to blossom and flourish as you learn to construct the abilities that you need and desire as a leader at any level.

As you set your foot on the path to great leadership, it is important to look inwardly and evaluate where you are in different facets of your life. Ask yourself “How am I doing mentally, socially, and physically? Are my finances and career where I want them to be or at least on track to get where I want them to be? Am I putting enough thought into my personal beliefs and my family life?” These are basic life areas that everyone puts time into, to some degree, depending on what stage in life in which they are. Evaluating these areas is an important first step to effective leadership, for as you learn to balance these areas well in your own life, you will lead by example those under you. Furthermore, you will be able to understand and address the problems of a subordinate who is having trouble balancing these areas.

Gaining a firm grasp on the different areas of your personal life will enable to then look at where you are with skills, job knowledge, and productivity. You will be able to focus on whether or not you and/or your subordinates are bringing your organization the profit of which you and they are capable. You will be able to improve your time management and develop more effective ways to improve your people and your products.

In articles to follow I will be discussing effective ways to evaluate and set goals for personal, family, and organizational life areas. As we focus on these areas, we need to remember this epitaph of an Anglican bishop.

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered that the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for only changing my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my death bed, I suddenly realize if I had only changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have changed the world.”

Ambitions are both good and necessary. But if we try to change what is around us before changing ourselves, our sphere of influence will shrink to molecular levels. As w

made.”

For some this may take away the last vestiges of hope, as one may think that his or her only hope for achieving effective leadership are the qualities with which they were born. For others, this may be the first bright rays of the dawn. Let me say to those in both categories, do not be discouraged. There is hope. Possibilities begin here because the development of your leadership abilities lies in your hands. This is where you have the opportunity to blossom and flourish as you learn to construct the abilities that you need and desire as a leader at any level.

As you set your foot on the path to great leadership, it is important to look inwardly and evaluate where you are in different facets of your life. Ask yourself “How am I doing mentally, socially, and physically? Are my finances and career where I want them to be or at least on track to get where I want them to be? Am I putting enough thought into my personal beliefs and my family life?” These are basic life areas that everyone puts time into, to some degree, depending on what stage in life in which they are. Evaluating these areas is an important first step to effective leadership, for as you learn to balance these areas well in your own life, you will lead by example those under you. Furthermore, you will be able to understand and address the problems of a subordinate who is having trouble balancing these areas.

Gaining a firm grasp on the different areas of your personal life will enable to then look at where you are with skills, job knowledge, and productivity. You will be able to focus on whether or not you and/or your subordinates are bringing your organization the profit of which you and they are capable. You will be able to improve your time management and develop more effective ways to improve your people and your products.

In articles to follow I will be discussing effective ways to evaluate and set goals for personal, family, and organizational life areas. As we focus on these areas, we need to remember this epitaph of an Anglican bishop.

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered that the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for only changing my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my death bed, I suddenly realize if I had only changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have changed the world.”

Ambitions are both good and necessary. But if we try to change what is around us before changing ourselves, our sphere of influence will shrink to molecular levels. As

lf “How am I doing mentally, socially, and physically? Are my finances and career where I want them to be or at least on track to get where I want them to be? Am I putting enough thought into my personal beliefs and my family life?” These are basic life areas that everyone puts time into, to some degree, depending on what stage in life in which they are. Evaluating these areas is an important first step to effective leadership, for as you learn to balance these areas well in your own life, you will lead by example those under you. Furthermore, you will be able to understand and address the problems of a subordinate who is having trouble balancing these areas.

Gaining a firm grasp on the different areas of your personal life will enable to then look at where you are with skills, job knowledge, and productivity. You will be able to focus on whether or not you and/or your subordinates are bringing your organization the profit of which you and they are capable. You will be able to improve your time management and develop more effective ways to improve your people and your products.

In articles to follow I will be discussing effective ways to evaluate and set goals for personal, family, and organizational life areas. As we focus on these areas, we need to remember this epitaph of an Anglican bishop.

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered that the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for only changing my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my death bed, I suddenly realize if I had only changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have changed the world.”

Ambitions are both good and necessary. But if we try to change what is around us before changing ourselves, our sphere of influence will shrink to molecular levels. As

enable to then look at where you are with skills, job knowledge, and productivity. You will be able to focus on whether or not you and/or your subordinates are bringing your organization the profit of which you and they are capable. You will be able to improve your time management and develop more effective ways to improve your people and your products.

In articles to follow I will be discussing effective ways to evaluate and set goals for personal, family, and organizational life areas. As we focus on these areas, we need to remember this epitaph of an Anglican bishop.

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered that the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for only changing my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my death bed, I suddenly realize if I had only changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have changed the world.”

Ambitions are both good and necessary. But if we try to change what is around us before changing ourselves, our sphere of influence will shrink to molecular levels. As

t change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for only changing my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my death bed, I suddenly realize if I had only changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have changed the world.”

Ambitions are both good and necessary. But if we try to change what is around us before changing ourselves, our sphere of influence will shrink to molecular levels. As we are all that we can actually fully and completely control.

It stands to reason that we ought to start here and work our way out. If we do not, it is much like trying to extinguish a fire from the top down. We spray and spray and yet, because we are not spraying at the base of the fire, the flames may be contained but are never extinguished until we run out of foam and realize that we have accomplished nothing and the flames will consume us.