Believe to Become
You might remember the children's book, "The Little Engine That Could," written by Watty Piper and published in 1930.
The story is about a train that gets stuck when trying to deliver important cargo to children waiting on the other side of the mountain. It asked for help from a passenger engine, got a no, asked for help from the freight engine, and got a second no. These trains could help, but they chose not to. They were not willing.
A rusty, tired, old engine came along and was asked for help, and it said no. The tired engine felt tired. Its wheels hurt and said, "I cannot, I cannot, I cannot." This train didn't even try.
A very little blue engine came along and asked what was wrong. This train didn't need to be asked. The engine had never been over the mountain and thought of the children on the other side and how the cargo would positively impact them. She thought about their smiles and the joy the cargo would bring them. She was on a mission and needed to get over the mountain. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can," propelled her. They started slowly while those onboard cheered her on. Their speed increased, and they were over the mountain before they knew it.
Here are a few questions for you to ponder and answer:
Does your team know what you see on the other side of the mountain?
Which train are you being?
Which train do you think others see in you?
Where are you waiting to be asked instead of taking the initiative?
Where do you have "I cannot" energy?
Where do you "Think you can" and take small steps forward?
Who can you rely on to cheer you forward?
Who do you need to remove from and add to your circle?
Courage is required if you want to increase your impact and the impact of the people you lead. The courage to believe you can, the courage to ask for help, the courage to invest in the support you need, the courage to become.
You are becoming in each moment. Who are you becoming at this moment?
Your leadership is needed now more than ever.
Be courageous.
Shermain
