Leadership Within!

You must be wondering what the title means?

Let me answer this by asking another question, what does it mean to be a true leader?

Through this blog I have endeavored to portray my perspective of a true leader, by illustrating it through the lens of a professional’s life, for whom designation was his identity and accumulating accolades, the purpose. He forgot that as a leader on the ship of his life – was a series of relationships, with his own self, as well as others, on personal and professional front. He is an example of a man who has spent the prime time of his life giving his all at work, even sacrificing his personal life, passion and health, but what does he get in return? What will his identity be once he leaves this position of authority?

This narrative, written in a rhythmic form, revolves around a successful corporate leader who is going through this dilemma of an uncrowned, abandoned inner self. Though he tries to maintain his composure, happiness and peace in his personal life has gone missing. His intuitive conscience that acts like his inner voice demands answers from him.

The relationship with his own self was charred!

The urge to live freely and care for oneself were things of the past.

His childhood cheer and passion had no say,

His inner voice had revolted but persistent shunning had weakened it,

So, it lies caged inside him today.

Once he succeeded in caging this reality within,

He felt he could use this ability to lead the world.

Leadership for him was all about visibility, authority and achievements at any cost,

It was about the superficial plasters to hide those wounds of conflicts in him.

Today as I coached him on ‘leadership within’, he heard no voice,

As he was busy fulfilling duties with no choice!

Repeated probing led to some turmoil in him,

Even those awards and accolades, that gave him wisdom to lead the world, were quiet today.

Was it triggered by yesterday’s incident?, he wondered.

The world outside had always heard his powerful voice and followed it to the T!

His family bowed to his brawl of words, thanks to the leader in him.

But just yesterday his wife left him after an ego clash,

And the children didn’t find a leader in him.

Today this inner voice too seemed to have revolted and abandoned him.

He had unknowingly sacrificed his happiness, passion and the art of feeling free,

And felt bound by     those alphabets that added power to his name.

What would happen when they leave him one day?

This voice was deafening now, as if raising its last fight to survive,

It demanded freedom to live in   him.

Did he live a leaders’ or a tamer’s life he thought?

He today was a slave to stress and regret within.

His mind was flooded with no place to rescue,

As thousands of thoughts were rampant today.

Emotions overpowered his dutiful self and questioned his presence till date,

Where were you   when we needed you? Wish you peeped within!

His notion of a leader was questioned today and shattered by his own voice in him.

Little had he realized that the first step to leadership started with the relationship within!

(Watch out for the sequel to my series ‘Leadership- A series of Relationships’!)

Author name– Bhavna Nagar

Title of the blog– Leadership Within!

About the author–

Having a great passion towards learning and a never-say-die attitude has helped me evolve in all dimensions of life as a parent of two teenagers, a fitness enthusiast, an educator with around 10 years of experience, and now, a trainer and a professional coach, who has been transforming lives of others for more than 8 years.

I am a certified health and wellness coach, NLP practitioner, a trainer and pursuing my ICF ACC certification as a coach. I help create experiences for my clients and see them live healthy, sustainable lives through balancing all aspects of one’s wellbeing.

I am on a mission to use my coaching business to create value to many more lives.

Program attended with CTT– ACC

Reason for taking this program– I enrolled to Coach-To-Transformation so that I could get ICF certification. I am thankful that I made the right decision. It has been an inner journey of building my foundation right, so that I can serve my clients better.

What worked for you– It has been a shift in mindset that helped me as a coach through reflective practice.

What benefits you got– I feel empowered to coach myself while helping others.