Actions of a Leader: 1

Initiate.

Passivity is to leadership what a dead battery is to a car. Even with a full tank of fuel, lacking the spark to get started renders it ineffective. Any leader must replace passivity in their life. Passivity is not the absence of energy; it embodies negative energy, encompassing fear, doubt, distrust, and dispassion. Every leader in history has had to combat passivity and foster initiation.

The work of designing beautifully and intuitive machines was initiated by Steve Jobs after he persevered through the "garage phase." Mahatma Gandhi initiated his vision of peaceful protest against British rule in India. Sean "Puffy" Combs was a dynamo of energy and initiation when launching Bad Boy Records. Jesus initiated uncomfortable conversations, debates, and risky missions during his brief earthly ministry.

These leaders undoubtedly possessed intrinsic qualities, with nature contributing to their drive and motivations. However, the presence of genetics does not exclude the impact of personal improvement. Each individual can improve in areas of weakness, and leaders can take steps to eliminate passivity and cultivate the habit of initiation.

Leaders can enhance their ability to take action, even in the face of difficult tasks or uncertain outcomes. They can develop a greater desire to step up and say, "I'll do it, send me." Leaders can progress in their willingness to take risks and embrace mistakes.

Leaders who take action are more likely to achieve their goals and inspire others to follow suit. Initiating change transforms cultures, teams, and outcomes. Woody Allen captured this essence when he said, "Eighty percent of life is showing up." Simply by being present, determined, and resilient, one can gain an advantage, irrespective of deficits in intelligence or talent.

Leaders must combat passivity and develop initiative. Here are a few practical steps leaders can take to become the initiators they need to be:

Fear

Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx used a rhetorical question to quell his young daughter's fear of the dark: "What's on the other side of fear?" His answer was "Nothing." Admittedly, this holds true most of the time. The greatest fear for leaders is often failure. While failure is a possibility, it does not define one as a failure. Fear is only rational when it matches the situation. Overcoming fear involves discussing concerns with trusted friends in your community, seeking an honest assessment of the situation. If fears are deemed invalid, it is time to take action.

Doubt

Doubt cripples many potential leaders and creatives. Questions like "Am I smart enough?" or "Will my audience appreciate my work?" hinder progress. In the New Testament, the Apostle James contrasts doubt with a lack of faith. Faith, in this context, represents determined trust in a reliable object. To address doubts, trusted community support is crucial. With that support, conduct an honest assessment of your skills and resources and develop a clear action plan.

Distrust

Distrust poses another significant obstacle to initiation and motivation. When we cannot trust the people or circumstances around us, we often withdraw and fail to apply ourselves. The first step in overcoming distrust is to address it within ourselves. Ensure that conflicts with others are not a reflection of your own issues. Make a commitment to honesty, vulnerability, and dependability. Identify the sources of organizational distrust and challenge negative thoughts by considering alternative perspectives. Seek confidential feedback, create a plan, and take gradual steps to test the waters before fully proceeding.

Dispassion

Dispassion is unacceptable when pursuing worthwhile goals. To combat apathy, fuel inactivity with the best motivation in the world: love. Document what you love about your organization, work, and team. Create a gratitude list, expressing appreciation for each person. Share your appreciation openly with your team. By exploring the love you feel for your dream, project, team, and people, you will find unparalleled motivation to get up and going.

The measure of a leader lies in the simple question, "Is anyone following you?" People follow those who are in motion. Leaders are initiators and movers. Therefore, start taking the initiative. Initiate the goodness, change, and love you wish to see in the world. That's what leaders do.