GREAT LEADERS ARE BORN IN DIFFICULT TIMES

In reality, we all know that the current economic crisis happened for obvious reasons. And most of us know that the current economic crisis is temporary; it will end. Markets go up and markets go down; just like the world goes round and round. Good economic times will come again. Your 401K, investments and home values will rise again. And hopefully, we will have learned much from these mistakes. Whether your opinion is that this happened due to corporate greed and waste, political lackadaisicalness or the immediacy and proliferation of negative media, the best thing that can happen is that we have learned a valuable lesson.

Right now, the economic sector is causing fear. Fear is not our friend. Fear causes us to be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event. Creating fear is a process that takes place in the brain and is completely unconscious. Julia Layton has written about the process of creating fear and
the paths of fear and explains it as two paths available. She writes “the low road is take no chances. Assume the worst.” The high road takes more time and delivers a more precise interpretation of events. While the low road is initiating the fear response just in case, the high road is considering all of the options. Both processes happen simultaneously. The sensory data regarding the door -- the stimulus -- is following both paths at the same time. But the high road takes longer than the low road. That's why you will have a moment or two of terror before you calm down and realize that this is just one more of life’s challenges, that you will live through and conquer.”

I’m convinced our ability to find and instill courage in the face of today’s fears, is the key difference between mediocre leaders and great leaders. In fact, these are precisely the times when many great leaders will be made. One definition of Courage that is particularly meaningful is that courage is the ability to control one’s fear, so as to face danger, pain, and trouble willingly.” This is your chance to be a great leader. Rise to the occasion!