The other day we had a Christmas party. The most interesting part of the party, apart from the food of course, was the time we had to open our gifts. We played a game whereby each of us was to pick some pieces of folded paper with numbers. We were then to pick the gifts in order of our numbers with number 1 being the first to pick. After number two had picked and it was now the turn for number 3, the number 3 and the other numbers following were given two options. One, either to pick a gift that was still wrapped or to “steal” a gift from those who had already opened their gift.
Obviously if you had seen something that you wanted, then you stole from the other players. But the majority of us opted for the wrapped gifts hoping to find something that we really loved. This was the only time I have seen the majority of people going for the unknown instead of the known. We all naturally fear the unknown. We often want to remain in our comfort zones; in the known place.
Leaders provide a mental picture of a preferred future and then ask people to follow them there. Just like me as a Leader for my house, I’m required with the help of my wife to lead our children. Over the Christmas hols, my wife and I agreed to try out a new place to go to for Christmas. Each year we try to take our kids to a new place, different from where have been before.
Unlike in the past, this particular place we chose this time was a place neither my wife nor I had been to (don't try this with your family). We had only heard about it and so we decided to venture out. Our kids kept asking us all kinds of questions regarding this place and the only thing we could do was to assure them that they would enjoy themselves. What they didn’t know was that we too were not sure of what lay ahead of us.Long story short, it ended up being a very nice and wonderful place and the kids did indeed enjoy themselves.
That is exactly what the new year presents us with, uncertainty. Contrary to what we have learned, that you never take people to a place you haven’t been yourself, where there is no uncertainty, there is no longer the need for leadership. Leaders require those around them to abandon the known and embrace the unknown – with no guarantee of success. As Leaders we are asking men and women not only to follow us to a place they have never been before (2012); we are asking them to follow us to a place we have never been before either (2012). That takes guts. That takes nerve. That takes courage. Have a happy new year won't you!
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