Journal #1 Push and Pull

Being a leader I've discovered that to achieve there is always a push before the release. Almost like when we were stretching the first day of class attempting to touch our fingers to our toes. First you may reach resistance but after further breathing and "sitting into" the pose, you can eventually touch your toe and even the ground. Same goes for the daily encounters of being a leader.
In Worst Enemy, Best Teacher, Combs says, "...Without opponents I would stagnate and weaken. We need our competitors to improve our businesses. We need our children to push against us to be better parents. We need our partners to disagree so we can find a deeper definition of relationship." pg. 115
We as leaders need the push and resistance to proceed to opening space and pushing forward. It is in the newfound open space when we make the biggest inspiration.
On occasion, the resistance comes from our "troops," as former Secretary of State Colin Powell said in his presentation to a group of students said. The role of a leader is to put people in the best place possible and set them up for success by providing them with the right package of knowledge and equipment. Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of Women for Women, speaks similarly. She asserts that knowledge and access to resources can result in the change from victim to survivor. Knowledge is power. However, power can corrupt. "With responsibility comes irresponsibility, and with honesty comes deception," (Combs; 111) To avoid corruption we one must have a clear sense of purpose. One goal, one mission. And most importantly a clear set of values. For example, the YMCA stands close to the four core values of Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Honesty. I find that the best teaching moments of these core values comes from a moment of resistance of a camper or campers. Rather than scold and chastise the camper we redirect and lead by example showing positive interaction. By instilling these four core values at camp many conflicts are averted and/ or quickly fixed. Salbi says, "Leadership is about simple living of our own truth and to have the courage to share it with others." Having a set of values and the ability to share them as an organization is incredibly valuable and handy, just as King Arthur's knight had as his badge of knowledge with his gold star painted on his shield. When give our "troops," an easily accessible bag of tools, whether it be a knight or a seven year old camper, we can expect success, support, and positive change.