There have been leaders throughout my life whom I have followed with vigor, some since junior high. My parents are on this list, of course, and then there was Mr. Grandi, my history and drama teacher during those tortuous years. He quickly became a mentor, as many junior high teachers do for their students. Those between years mark a passage of time that can be very impressionable. My life changed quite a bit during that time: someone stole from me, a friend betrayed me, a boy held my hand, and one of my brothers passed away. And while some freedoms were found, trust was lost.
It could be said that I was probably not ready for high school. I was a delightfully innocent and naive young woman. I had never seen anyone my age smoke a cigarette, let alone imbibe in alcohol or do drugs of any kind. I lived a kind of Utopian youth that I am thankful for today. Given my propensity to engage quickly and be a people pleaser, I can imagine that my life might have taken a very different turn during those years had I not had parents that were strong leaders and influential teachers like Mr. Grandi that understood the freedom a twelve- and thirteen-year old girl needed to test – it wasn’t much, believe me, for I didn’t know any better.
Different phases in our lives require different types of leaders. They are not all good experiences, but those I have survived have taught lessons that have altered my core, my precepts, and made a mark on either my soul or my brain. That is what happens when we really learn, we change and though the change may be small or even imperceptible to others, inside – there is a difference. It may not be how we act but it might be how we react. It may not be what we do, but it might be what we think. It may not be how we respond, but it might be how we feel. Change is a direct result of learning.
My brother, Andrew, made a statement and asked a question in his group on facebook a while back and I was compelled to answer; that answer contained an idea that has been brewing in me for awhile. It is the idea of The Phoenix Infection.
Andrew Thorn: Leadership can be defined as the ability to motivate a group of people toward a common goal. How do you define leadership?
My Answer: A leader inspires by passionately sharing a vision and allowing participation in the creation and fruition of that vision. A leader is not bogged down by fear or jealousy. The active sharing of knowledge and the Phoenix Infection they gladly pass along define the line between leader and manager.
The Phoenix Infection is what happens when a leader is able to take you with him to fulfill his vision; you gladly join because his dreams and aspirations are infectious – you, as a follower, really have no choice. The engagement is so pure, so true, that the joining is natural and fulfilling. The mythical phoenix has long held a magical place in my thinking. It represents immortality, the triumphant rising from disaster or struggle, always strategizing – looking ahead. It is a visionary with the capacity to continually re-invent itself and stimulate enthusiasm and continual motivation.
This fulfills another part of my definition of a leader – a leader from whom I can learn.
**The Phoenix Infection is a ten-part series written by Rayanne on leaders and why we follow them…
Why We Follow, part 1
The Rising, part 2
The Leader Within, part 3
We Follow for Reasons, part 4
Your One Thing, part 5
Seeking the Right Level, part 6
Into the Fray, Part 7
Thought Leadership, part 8
Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology. She is also a proud mother of four residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a contributor for Blogging4Jobs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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