Jack Canfield is best known as the cocreator and coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul® book series. As the CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, he has also helped grow the Chicken Soup for the Soul® brand into a virtual empire of books, childrens books, audios, videos, CDs, classroom materials, a syndicated column and a television show, as well as a vigorous program of licensed products.
I
believe leaders are both born and made. I have witnessed many
kids who seem to demonstrate natural leadership abilities
at school, on sports teams, and in other youth groups I have
been associated with. They seem to naturally have a takecharge
attitude; they rally the troops; they are enthusiastic, optimistic
and visionary. They have the ability to see what needs to
be done and enroll people to perform the various tasks. They
have a force of personality. They anticipate needs, have a
sense of purpose, have a clear sense of priorities, are able
to make decisions, take action and cause others to take action.
However,
I have also seen other people who have attended my seminars
on leadership and peak performance, learn the skills and attitudes
of leadership, and step up to the plate and become excellent
leaders. I believe most people have the capacity to learn
to be leaders. I have also seen people, when confronted with
a challenge, who have stepped up to become leaders parents
of children who were killed by drunk drivers, people who became
impassioned about the environment or some other philanthropic
cause.I
think a leader is someone who holds the vision and the values
for the organization, has the ability to articulate that vision
and those values, and is able to enroll others into owning
the vision as their own. A true leader walks his talk, leads
by example, and knows how to inspire and empower those he
or she leads. A manager is more functional in their role to
make sure that certain tasks are performed, roles are fulfilled
and objectives are met.
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