Leadership Article Review on Pieces of Advice to Young People
Introduction
Philosophers, psychologists, astronomers, religious leaders, motivational speakers, and notable individuals in the society have often and many times emphasized the need for self-improvement and growth. Many a time through education, young people come across quotes and sayings by famous educationalists and influential members of the society on various success tips and ways by which they can live productive and successful lives. Times have become attractive, and many living persons in the contemporary society appreciate that the ways of life have changed and many concepts as reflected in books and stories are not as they seem to appear. Todd Nordstrom and David Sturt present several ideologies from great writers, businesspersons, and influential members of the society targeting younger persons. Through experience and age, these persons give straightforward forward tips guaranteeing one success and productive life. The author’s purpose for writing the article is to bring together quotes and sayings by famous persons in the society to help younger members of the society improve on their careers, decisions, qualities, and life in general. The article offers practical, and eye-opening tips on self-improvement, growth, and personality attribute vital in career development. The work directly relates to leadership as a career as it points to some of the most important attributes needed in leadership. Practically from the collection of these ideas and words of insight, success in life is about one’s choices and everyday decisions.
Over the years, many persons concur that life is about decisions and choices. The same goes for self-development, goals and about leadership qualities. When faces a challenging situation, it is only a good decision that will help, otherwise, no action can ever produce a result. Poor decision-making and actions have often remained the number one cause of conflict and stressful moments in any given situation. While it remains the leading cause of more challenges and poor livelihood in one’s life, the inability to stay focused and steadfast in aspiring for better decisions have never been this high. Additionally, the ability to make the logical, practical and consistent judgment and conclusion remain as the most sought after quality more so in leaders. For example, a student who has the passion for pursuing a career in leadership has the obligation to follow in though, and by renown, leaders to set up and draw the line on the attributes needed with a view to succeeding in the career. Additionally, a student who wants to excel in a given project has the duty to remain focused and steadfast in such a journey. The two examples only need one action; a decision. Making a choice between several options precedes the strong decision to steer the line and emerge successfully. Additionally, the above scenarios need a made-up mind that is ready to commit to a given course of action.
Although Susan Bennet acknowledges that “throwing caution to the wind” may be crippling for some people, it arises from the ideology of making several attempts and enjoying the journey. No plan or thinking is ever tamper-proof; however, by committing to trying out several options, an individual widens the chances of success with the focus on the most promising. For example, many students take up co-curriculum activities as plan B in their career. While one may remain focused on only one option, another may decide to try out several options such as a career in football and art disciplines. By making such a commitment, the student is only aiming at the most promising in a way that will provide a fall back plan in case of failure in one. Many a time students and young people encounter traumatizing and life-threatening experiences that leave them with little option. As Judy Robinett argues, that “taking counsel from one’s courage,” offers greater chances of success than focusing on fear and challenges. By realizing on one’s thoughts, strengths, strategies, and skills, a young person can take advantage of a given situation, not by focusing on the case, but by tapping on their strengths and skills. Thus, it boils down to the ability to honestly look into oneself and proclaims the willingness to succeed which additionally comes down to the decision.
While the majority of actions and strategies lie on decisions and choices, the ability to connect and relate with others, stay humble along the journey, and live honestly, stems from personal attributes. Honesty in a business deal, integrity in one’s relations, faithfulness, reliability, and veracity form part of an individual’s persona that goes beyond career learned in the lecture halls. As in leadership, these qualities mark the foundation of deep relations that go beyond the ordinary relationship. As Garry Ridge maintains, success depends on how one relates to others, no lying, no faking, no jokes, open communication, care, and respectful attitude towards each other. In leadership, without these skills, it becomes practically impossible to connect and work with others. In as much as leadership involves guiding and instructing others, the ability to connect with them and win their trust remains the greatest asset any leader can build. All through the advice, the author stresses on, the ability to connect and work with others as a team often points to success than any other factor. Many a times, persons in leadership position believe that the relationship between the leader and the team is inconsequential. However, the truth is, success is about how well a leader works with others. Building a successful team is all about a choice, and the decision to remain faithful to tasks and projects took together.
A critical look at the compilation of the author’s pieces of advice points to one concept; leadership attributes. All the above-discussed ideas form key components of qualities of good leadership. Although they all look to success in one’s career, the underlying concept about the subject matter looks to guidelines to efficient and successful leadership qualities. While all the advice leads to self-improvement and success in life, the primary message, and guidance to young people in this article is to take charge and control of their life through astute decisions and strategies. Taking charge and control of one’s life involves remaining the best and giving one’s best “one at a time.” The key purpose of giving the best of oneself involves improving oneself. According to the author, the main intention of all the advice put together is “to improve.” Through all the risks were undertaken, honest relationships, courage, and sound judgment are to bring out the best in oneself. Failure to adhere to the above concepts as outlined by the author is a sure way of leading a sad and visionless life. According to the author, Nely Galan argues, “before you can be chosen, you need to choose yourself first,” By this argument, the author points to the important part of decision making and choice in which an individual engages with oneself towards self-improvement. Additionally, the author maintains that no time is lost and all can go back in time and make a clean start. No one is too old to set goals, and no one is too old to start afresh. According to the author, no greater gift surpasses sharing, knowledge, skills, and information. By committing to share, an individual develops a people-centered personality in which he or she becomes the center of reference in any given success tit bit. By becoming a point of reference, a person easily has and develops influence over others on the said subject matter.
Conclusion
Decision-making and choice form the core aspect of commitment to a cause in addition to helping formulate a strategy towards success and achievement. It is no doubt that this collection of advice, offers critical pointers towards living a productive and fruitful life. As the only way of self-improvement, commitment and choice of living, decision making, and choice plays an essential role in helping formulate a strategic plan towards putting the above advice to work. Failure to connect practically the information to life and one’s career may also point to the failure in whichever field one commits. Decision-making and choices, therefore, enable young people in augmenting workable plans and strategies towards self-improvement and final journey to success. It is, therefore, no doubt that all individuals have the sole mandate to make sensible and practical choices and decisions that aim at self-improvement and success in their various career preferences.