There is one thing we can never run away from and that's our shadow. Even if we try to leave it goes with us wherever we go. That exactly is what our identity feels like.
We barely know how much influence we leave in the life of people we meet or hang around. By our identity, people tend to look up to us or ignore us based on what we display to them. Our identity is our stigma that we almost cannot depart from.
Having to lead simply means getting to have the right identity.
What then depicts the right identity?
-The ability to be yourself and stand out: Your identity should be able to single you out from the crowd, until you are outstanding you almost do not have much value.
I remember when I was a girl of the crowd, I almost could not go anywhere without having to call my friends, I was indecisive about almost everything.
But one day reality came calling when I realised I had sold my identity, instead of being called my name, I was referred to as Uche's friend. I was not doing anything wrong by having friends but guess I was not just making as much impact as I should even when we were out, I heard them talk, they did virtually everything, while I watched, little did I know I was losing my value for the fear of standing alone.
It took me making "conscious" efforts to get myself out there again and let my voice get heard.
I made conscious efforts to speak about things I knew and made value to the lives of people, rather than watch my friends speak, I stepped up and if we were having lunch or something, I went ahead and placed the orders.
Never feel sitting at the table and waiting for people to get your order to you is the way out, more often than not it speaks your weakness.
A leader is a servant and as a servant you put in effort to please those around you while being yourself.
It takes conscious effort to prove your identity and live a life that people will emulate.
-Differentiate your Yes from your No: Do not get both mixed up. Be a person of your word, No could be very difficult sometimes but that might just be that answer that will change a life.
Your identity is your thumb print, it lives with you and only you have it.
Learn to be a person with the right identity as you do not know who you are making an influence on.
As John Maxwell will say "Everybody Influences Someone"
Who then does your identity influence?
The fear of standing out has made many to lose their identity and distinction in the crowd. Well written and thought-provoking article by you, Uju.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr Obinna. I appreciate your amazing points.
DeleteGreat post Uju, this reminds me of an experience with a friend, she was always shy and afraid to speak her mind, she never had the courage to face her fears.
ReplyDeleteThere are great potentials out there who cannot seem to bring out their Talents.
I also feel parents and teacher have so much to contribute, because habits formed at early stages seems to linger, parents and teacher should be skilled at spotting the temperament of child and knowing the right steps to take, they should follow best practices and abstain from using abusive words on a child.
Nice post Uju, Keep it up.
Awesome points Mr. Uche, very true, more often than not we become a product of the things we hear all the time. Thanks so much for dropping this great point.
DeleteHi Uju
ReplyDeleteAs usual, what a great post and you are so right.
When we lose our identity, we lose our existence. No one can be a leader till he he understands his identity.
It is great that you were able to understand your identity. Thank you for sharing. Take care
Thank you sir Ikechii, it is always a great pleasure reading from you.
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