The Importance of Writing Your Own
Story.
Human Development theorist, Dr.
Baxter-Magolda, created an elegant concept of “Self-Authorship.” Essentially,
the theory describes how as individuals we start out in life by following the
“scripts” that others (e.g. parents, siblings, communities, etc.) have laid out
for us. At some point, usually in late adolescence, we reach what she calls a
“cross roads” where we will decide if we will keep following the scripts or
expectations of others or start to become the author of our own lives.
Those who successfully navigate that challenging time become “authors” of our
own life. We begin to take a path we choose versus one chosen for us. We decide
to find our true selves and pursue what matters most for us!
Now on the surface, this sounds a bit
narcissistic but it really has major implications for how we lead ourselves and
others. Obviously in order to lead others we have to lead ourselves first but
we cannot do that until we know ourselves and what works for us! We get
to choose to develop a leadership style and approach that aligns with our own talents,
gifts, and abilities. We have to reach a state of Self-Authorship!
This point was no better said than by a
speaker I heard the night before I graduated from college. We were
participating in a great baccalaureate service and the guest speaker said
something that has stuck with me ever since. He said:
“Release your SONG the Spirit says to
me, you can’t be you until your SONG is set free!”
What this meant to me is that we have to
find that one purpose that we alone were created for. We will never be truly
free until we do so! So the big questions are these:
- Are your writing your own life and leadership story or is someone or something still doing that for you?
- Are you truly pursuing your life’s passion?
- Are you helping others author their own life?
As
always, if I can help you write your own story by Getting Better, Being Ready
and LEADING OUT LOUD, I would love to hear from you. Also, as a bonus, if you
go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact
information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring
initiative program in your organization!
Yours
in Leadership,
Bill
Faulkner
Co-Founder
– Out Loud Strategies
Independent
Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team TM
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