Vusi
October 13th, 2004, 10:55 AM
Lesson 7 - Go where angels fear to tread
Shaka was tormented by bullies throughout his childhood. Most men would have been ruined by such an experience; but not Shaka. He realized that the only way to fight his lowly and humiliating status was to deliver extra-ordinary victories. So Shaka decided that his first obstacle on the road to greatness was fear. He looked for opportunities to conquer fear and, at the same time, to be noticed by Dingiswayo the Great.
While he was serving as a conscript in the army, he heard that there was a much-feared madman who had terrorized the remote villages. Many an expedition of warriors had tried to root him out of his cave, only to return in flight, some having sustained injuries. So, Shaka, together with his newly found friends set off to this remote village. Shaka had a plan. He enraged the giant with insults, and because he was not wearing sandals, he outran the giant until he was exhausted from the chase. At that point, Shaka returned and stabbed his spear into the heart of the panting giant.
By sheer bravery, Shaka had suddenly become a national hero, and he had accomplished the first step of his plan: being recognized by Dingiswayo the Great. In this world only bravery distinguishes the winners from losers. All of us can dream, both those who sit on the throne and those who trudge the world barefoot. But only those who are willing to face risk head-on, and outstare it, will achieve success. Without bravery, your dream will wither slowly like a fig tree in the glare of sun and heat. You must learn to conquer fear or fear will enslave you.
Go out and face your own giants and madmen, and you will begin your journey to success:
- Courage is needed for any kind of leadership. Do not be afraid to take up challenges, to confront intimidating people or to take bold steps.
- The challenge of breaking new ground always entails exploring the unknown. Do not succumb to fear of the unknown.
- Many leaders may do the right things according to the book, yet lack the mettle that is needed to rise above the ordinary. Only courage will separate the winners from the losers.
- Have the courage to be deeply honest with yourself. Face your choices and realize that sometimes the right choices are the most difficult ones.
- Meaningful leadership is about being courageous enough to stir the pot rather than putting on the lid. Leaders are the creators of chaos as much as the originators of order.
- Teach your people to be courageous and to take risks - by making it less risky for them to take risks.
- Be willing to take risks. Remember the age-old saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." And, "Fortune favors the brave."
- Do not keep postponing confrontation with an angry or intimidating client, supplier, manufacturer, and the like. Face it head-on and stand your ground.
Leadership Lessons from Emperor Shaka Zulu the Great Written by: Phinda Mzwakhe Madi
This is the seventh of ten timeless nuggets of wisdom from the motherland to help us strengthen the Virtual Black Community today. I look forward to sharing with you and hearing from you...as we make the 'NET WORK for you!
Shaka was tormented by bullies throughout his childhood. Most men would have been ruined by such an experience; but not Shaka. He realized that the only way to fight his lowly and humiliating status was to deliver extra-ordinary victories. So Shaka decided that his first obstacle on the road to greatness was fear. He looked for opportunities to conquer fear and, at the same time, to be noticed by Dingiswayo the Great.
While he was serving as a conscript in the army, he heard that there was a much-feared madman who had terrorized the remote villages. Many an expedition of warriors had tried to root him out of his cave, only to return in flight, some having sustained injuries. So, Shaka, together with his newly found friends set off to this remote village. Shaka had a plan. He enraged the giant with insults, and because he was not wearing sandals, he outran the giant until he was exhausted from the chase. At that point, Shaka returned and stabbed his spear into the heart of the panting giant.
By sheer bravery, Shaka had suddenly become a national hero, and he had accomplished the first step of his plan: being recognized by Dingiswayo the Great. In this world only bravery distinguishes the winners from losers. All of us can dream, both those who sit on the throne and those who trudge the world barefoot. But only those who are willing to face risk head-on, and outstare it, will achieve success. Without bravery, your dream will wither slowly like a fig tree in the glare of sun and heat. You must learn to conquer fear or fear will enslave you.
Go out and face your own giants and madmen, and you will begin your journey to success:
- Courage is needed for any kind of leadership. Do not be afraid to take up challenges, to confront intimidating people or to take bold steps.
- The challenge of breaking new ground always entails exploring the unknown. Do not succumb to fear of the unknown.
- Many leaders may do the right things according to the book, yet lack the mettle that is needed to rise above the ordinary. Only courage will separate the winners from the losers.
- Have the courage to be deeply honest with yourself. Face your choices and realize that sometimes the right choices are the most difficult ones.
- Meaningful leadership is about being courageous enough to stir the pot rather than putting on the lid. Leaders are the creators of chaos as much as the originators of order.
- Teach your people to be courageous and to take risks - by making it less risky for them to take risks.
- Be willing to take risks. Remember the age-old saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." And, "Fortune favors the brave."
- Do not keep postponing confrontation with an angry or intimidating client, supplier, manufacturer, and the like. Face it head-on and stand your ground.
Leadership Lessons from Emperor Shaka Zulu the Great Written by: Phinda Mzwakhe Madi
This is the seventh of ten timeless nuggets of wisdom from the motherland to help us strengthen the Virtual Black Community today. I look forward to sharing with you and hearing from you...as we make the 'NET WORK for you!