R.E.A.L. Success Paragraphs

Most people can trace their successes and failures to the relationships in their lives.

The nugget of wisdom I chose from the leadership section, “Most people can trace their successes and failures to the relationships in their lives,” felt important to me for the following reasons. First of all I’d like to think that this quote does not mean that we blame our successes and failures on those around us but rather that we can trace why we performed the way we did to those who we surround ourselves with and the tasks that those in our lives performed. This is not to say that every failure and success is solely the fault of others but that those we choose to be around. I chose this quote because too many times in my life I have had peers I don’t agree with, or bad relationships that led to both a worse mental state for me and worsening products. It is only that when I am around those who truly support me, retain a positive attitude, and add value to my life that I truly perform my best no matter the task. I would like to think that when I am in that setting, and in that circle, that I contribute to everyone else in a similarly positive way. A big part if leadership is not only having a positive group of followers but having a collective mindset of lifting each other up to find success in their lives. In the talons leadership setting I will place a much higher importance on not just a cause I’m passionate about but people who I am passionate about so that we can all trace our success back to those around us.

 

The Law of Mt. Everest

The leadership law I chose for the equipping section of the REAL book is the law of Mt. Everest. This law states that as the challenge increases, the need for teamwork increases. This law has a clear concept, big challenges in our lives are not conquered by us as individuals but by our team. It is only that as a team we can conquer our biggest challenges. I think specific to this law the challenge and need for teamwork increasing proportionally means a lot. Because while increasing difficulty demands an increase in effectiveness on the individual level the need for synergy among a team or group is much higher. In the TALONS setting I think it is always important to remember that we are a group and that no matter how well we are performing as individuals the synergy we have with out teammates is what will ultimately determine our victory or defeat. An example would be the recent planning of my groups cultural event, at each roadblock we experienced, as the challenge increased, we always met as a group. At no point was our teamwork stronger than in the face of adversity, and at no point was it more important. We could have easily dealt with each problem as it came up as individuals, but I don’t think we would have achieved anywhere near the same results as when we came together to make decisions and truly climb our Everest as a group. Collaborating with others is often difficult, but we need to understand that as the task gets more difficult our capacity for teamwork is what will decide the outcome.

Our attitude can turn problems into blessing

In the attitude section I chose the phrase “Our attitude can turn problems into blessing”. However, I would like to propose a rephrase, I think “our attitude can turn our challenges into opportunities,” while more cliched is more accurate. I think the word problem entails something that needs to be fixed immediately, or a hinderance of some kind, where as a challenge is something worked through. The other word I substituted, blessing, I think is too far towards the supernatural and joyous of a noun to describe this. I think this law means that adversity and challenge, is in reality what gifts us our greatest opportunities in life. Whether it’s taking on a challenge or working through something that comes your way it is through these demanding experiences that we find new ways to grow as people. In the talons setting I would once again like to reference my cultural event. We found out that we were not able to continue as originally planned with out event, a large challenge to be sure, but we found a solution that meant we would each be learning a new skill, and take the role of teachers for the class. While it would have been easier to have not met this challenge it is because of it that I will be, for the first time, taking the role of a painting instructor in front of our class. Which is a new and exciting opportunity that rose from the ashes of what would have otherwise been considered a failed plan.

The Law of the lid

Finally, in the leadership section, I have chosen to write about the law of the lid. The law of the lid states that a person’s leadership ability determines their effectiveness. Of course, this mainly applies to the group setting but is a potent nugget of wisdom, nonetheless. What this law means is that our team or our group will not grow past the leadership potential of its leaders, the leadership skills acting as a lid of the group’s effectiveness. I think that this law is important because too many times in the group setting, we merely focus on accomplishing a task, and do not realize that the thing preventing our group from progressing is our own limits. That’s why it’s important when leading to not only focus on those whom you are leading to a goal but to also focus on developing yourself and your skills to the point where the group can fulfill its maximum potential. To me there have been many times where I have been wrapped up in tasks to the point of ignoring my own leadership potential. In my cultural event group, I have seen those leading me trying to increase their leadership skills to increase our groups effectiveness. In seeing their example, I have realized that I should adopt the mindset of personal growth even in the setting of the group. In my own experience adopting a leadership role demands a mindset towards personal growth, and often I have not realized that, leading to poor results.