A hard-core disciplinarian stood in front of our class. He had been a marine drill sergeant in the Vietnam War. He had a crewcut hair style and piercing eyes. He had a master’s degree in psychology and was welcoming us as the professor of business ethics. Rumors had it that this man tolerated nothing.
Our ability to lead significant lives depends on how we interpret others and their actions. We are all different—biologically, culturally, ethnically—and we all grow and change at different stages. It is our goal to be able to suspend judgement, going beyond mere tolerance, to attain and express true, mindfulness acceptance of others, just as they are.
Significant leaders welcome and value uniqueness and diversity. Their stance of openness is grounded in a deep acceptance of their own authentic selves and allows them to inspire, teach and lead others in a way to leave a lasting legacy.
Knowing who you truly are and being the best you can be means understanding that you’d make a lousy somebody else. The human spirit is a powerful force and is controlled by our ability to face our fears, struggle and make it through life’s storms. For this reason, our self-worth should always be the sum total of our thoughts, not the result of a miscalculation and multiplying of our insecurities.
Why are you where you are? Why are you doing what you’re doing? Why should you give it everything you’ve got, when less would be sufficient? Why does positive thinking matter?
