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Look in the mirror to see your opportunity

To see your main opportunities you don't need a telescope or a glass ball; you need a mirror.

I think our greatest opportunity lies in discovering inner space (not outer space). Look in the mirror, because, when you do, your biggest opportunities will look back at you!

This means understanding who you are: body, head, heart and soul. If you want to grow inner space, start with the soul (how we can make a difference and be significant), then the heart (sense of belonging and connectedness), then move on to the head (thinking and intellect) and finally, the body (action and doing).

I am surprised how poorly some senior managers know themselves. Most managers spend their time focused at the body level; on the external, physical world, thinking about results, structure, technology and processes. But the physical world is just the manifestation of the internal world. By the time you see it, it's too late to change it. Real change happens in the internal world of thoughts, emotions and beliefs.

If you don't know who you are, how can anyone else?

Next time you look in the mirror think about the importance of knowing the person looking back at you. In my experience many managers have not thought deeply about who they are. This makes them weak, because, if they don't know who they are there's no way anyone else can know who they are.

Even those who have thought about it, often suppress their personalities between nine and five. They are afraid to show who they really are. They think people may not like them or accept them for who they are. They reason, "No one else shows their personality. It's too risky."

Ironically, this reasoning is exactly wrong. Think of anyone who is an irresistible leader and I bet they are vulnerable enough to show themselves to the world; warts and all.

A story

It wasn't long after the Gods had created humankind that they began to realise their mistake. The creatures they had created were so adept, so skillful, so full of curiosity and the spirit of inquiry that it was only a matter of time before they would start to challenge the Gods themselves for supremacy.

To ensure their pre-eminence the Gods held a large conference to discuss the issue. Gods were summoned from all over the known and unknown worlds. The debates were long, detailed, and soul-searching.

All the Gods were very clear about one thing. The difference between them and mortals was the difference between the quality of the resources they had. While humans had their egos and were concerned with the external, material aspects of the world, the Gods had spirit, soul and an understanding of the workings of the inner self.

The Gods decided to hide their precious resources. The question was: where? This was the reason for the length and passion of the debates at the Great Conference of the Gods.

Finally they asked the God of Gods who said: "Lets hide spirit, soul and an understanding of the workings of the inner self inside each human. They will never think of looking there!"

The Gods were right

I'm sure the Gods were right. Our most precious resources are spirit, soul and an understanding of the workings of the inner self. Irresistible leaders know the hiding place. They work first to discover it within themselves and then within their people.

What I mean by inner space

When I'm talking about inner space I have several things in my mind:

1. Knowing body who you are, head, heart and soul
2. Knowing your Purpose and why it's important
3. Knowing your Genius Factor and how you can make a difference
4. Knowing the power of your subconscious mind and how to use it.

With this knowing, almost anything is possible.

Give me a call if I can help. In the meantime: Think BIG!

Warmest wishes,
Bruce.
Bruce Holland
Virtual Group Business Consultants
Phone +6421620456 or Skype Bruce.Holland
www.virtual.co.nz
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Key words: Leadership, leadership development, leadership management, leadership training, leadership program, leadership skills