Submit to Authority to Be an Authority
The future belongs to the learner, not the learned, not the teachers who have lost their own will to learn. To know is not to know anymore.
To think big is to lead by learning, to lead by example.
If you stand for something, then it will guide everything you do, and so you will naturally set an example.
People who think small try to lead by teaching others to do things their way, thus perpetuating an inertial downward spiral of hierarchical pedagogical dogma—in other words, I’m-better-than-you-listen-to-me-this-is-the-only-right-answer. Small thinking people can rarely hear the sound of anything but their own voices. Nothing is heard until the ego is transcended (not an easy task). To listen is to lead.
It sounds contradictory: You need to follow rules to be followed. You need to submit to be submitted to. It only seems so. In fact, there is no contradiction; rather, there is a unity, an integrity that comes from this principle. By imposing parameters on ourselves, we set ourselves free. Outer discipline coincides with and is synonymous with inner discipline. There is no private you and public you. You need to be in public what you are in private—that is what it means to live authentically. You want to be authentic, don’t you? I’m pretty sure there aren’t too many people who want to be fake, and those who are, or who seem to be, are more likely just scared of putting themselves out there, of letting the public see the genuine person who lives inside them. We fear that our ego (our true self, with all our dreams and hopes, our very identity) will be crushed if we take a risk, if we put ourselves out there. Then we are not living authentically. Fear of censure may keep some from authenticity, but in our hearts, if we let our hearts speak, we all yearn to be authentic.
You are authentic when you submit to self-imposed rules, codes of conduct based on what you stand for.
To think big is to lead by learning, to lead by example.
If you stand for something, then it will guide everything you do, and so you will naturally set an example.
People who think small try to lead by teaching others to do things their way, thus perpetuating an inertial downward spiral of hierarchical pedagogical dogma—in other words, I’m-better-than-you-listen-to-me-this-is-the-only-right-answer. Small thinking people can rarely hear the sound of anything but their own voices. Nothing is heard until the ego is transcended (not an easy task). To listen is to lead.
It sounds contradictory: You need to follow rules to be followed. You need to submit to be submitted to. It only seems so. In fact, there is no contradiction; rather, there is a unity, an integrity that comes from this principle. By imposing parameters on ourselves, we set ourselves free. Outer discipline coincides with and is synonymous with inner discipline. There is no private you and public you. You need to be in public what you are in private—that is what it means to live authentically. You want to be authentic, don’t you? I’m pretty sure there aren’t too many people who want to be fake, and those who are, or who seem to be, are more likely just scared of putting themselves out there, of letting the public see the genuine person who lives inside them. We fear that our ego (our true self, with all our dreams and hopes, our very identity) will be crushed if we take a risk, if we put ourselves out there. Then we are not living authentically. Fear of censure may keep some from authenticity, but in our hearts, if we let our hearts speak, we all yearn to be authentic.
You are authentic when you submit to self-imposed rules, codes of conduct based on what you stand for.
Comment
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Comment by Perry Melton on March 10, 2009 at 3:41pm -
There must always be at least 1 among it's many whose discipline is to drawl as closely and directly from the source from which originated. It is from this consciousness many others will shape and form energy, intelligence and awareness through. From distance looking inward, no mind is truely seperated from another and all is interdependently connected within a perpetuating system of what was and whats to be.
From the acorn a seed emerges, the ascending latter of leadership awakes one more whose aknowledgement is to recognize even higher dimensions of thought processes to be interpreted from the unified field itself, then shared with to serve the rest.
As you may know Michael, the phenomonon of life observing life could be something like stars observing other stars, meaning we trade energy and matter with one another as well, as universal laws would have it. Should what I've said make sense, from 1 identified purpose in recognition of another I strongly appreciate the lighting of your torch.
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Comment by Langton on March 10, 2009 at 12:38am
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Thought Provoking....
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Comment by Alex Webley on March 8, 2009 at 12:54am
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Deep, interesting stuff; yet so simple too. Great read.
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Comment by Dr. Maynard Brusman, Consulting Psychologist & Executive/Career Coach on March 7, 2009 at 9:16am -
My social media marketing coach suggested that I comment on other thought leaders posts. Your wonderful post was the first one that compelled me to comment. Thank you!
I have learned in my executive coaching and leadership development work with leaders and lawyers to help clients is to be fully in relatationship. I actively listen and learn as we collaborate to help clients achieve their goals. Assuming the role of knowing expert ( EGO) may be helpful in certain leadership situations, but allowing learning to emerge in a shared flow state holds collective wisdom.
Getting more clarity on one's identity, values and purpose deepens the learning process for both participants.
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Comment by Shel Horowitz on March 7, 2009 at 8:48am -
It reminds me of the old maxim about knowing the rules really well *before* you break them--but of course, some rule breaking is often necessary to advance. But in order to know when you'll be effective in breaking the rules, you need to thoroughly understand them first. (Example: I was once hired tow rite a press release where the expected headline according to the rules, would have been the put-'em-to-sleep "Electronic Privacy Expert Releases New Book." By knowing the rules thoroughly, I was able to smash through the clutter with "It's 10 O'Clock--Do You Know Where Your Credit History Is?"
To your other point, like you I have no patience for know-it-alls. The day I stop learning is the day they carry me out on a board. There is *always* more to learn! Then it's a matter of sifting what's useful and helpful, discarding or reinventing what is not
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Comment by celi on March 7, 2009 at 2:39am -
Brilliant. Thank you for showing me to stand for something.
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Comment by Isaac Ring on March 7, 2009 at 1:19am -
Michael, your post has old wisdom in it. All expression that is free and creative grows out of discipline. Excellence in any endeavor requires mastery in the essentials or foundational elements of the activity. It is from that foundation that greatness and freedom grows. When Michael Jordan was cut from his high school team, he was told to work on the fundamentals and when he did it (disciplined himself to master fundamentals of the game) he went on to become one of the greatest basketball players ever (if not the greatest). I’ve heard that Tiger Woods hits 5000 balls a day (his discipline and mastery of the fundamentals of golf) have enabled him to reach the pinnacle of his sport. The list people who have excelled and have found freedom within their pursuits have done so because they have first submitted themselves to the cost that discipline required.
I doubt there has ever been a single individual that made their mark on the world that did not first discipline themselves and submit to the disciplines of their craft.
Can anyone name one?
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Comment by Carolyn Winter on March 7, 2009 at 12:29am -
RE: "You are authentic when you submit to self-imposed rules, codes of conduct based on what you stand for. "
It does take courage to live authentically, especially in a society that is driven on looks versus substance anchored with invisible rules of how to belong and be accepted. We are continually bombarded with media messages for how we should look and feel, what we should buy or wear, and ever changing boundaries for what is cool/not cool to do - underlying message is if we want to belong, be accepted, have admirers and followers and social power we must buy the latest - colors, styles, model etc. I see leaders all too often relying on market research to find out how they should look, dress and emote so that an audience will like them. Politicians often smile because they think you want to see a smile. An authentic polictian (your new president comes to mind) can't force a smile if it isn't within. Authentic smiling is spontaneous.
The thing is, energetically, people pick up on our authenticity all of the time and are unconsciously making judgements in response to that invisible information. We only fool our ego into thinking we have pulled the wool over others, if we are unauthentic and suffer stress or the imposter syndrome as a result.
My hope is that authenticity, integrity and honesty becomes a world trend among leaders and others who hold power, and that this trend grow world wide in all aspects of social responsiblity . I am much encouraged by some recent reseach that indicated a new emotion discovered called 'elevation' - the sensation of a desire to act morally and do "good". Apparently it is on the increase.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring manifesto Michael. I appreciate the authenticity you bring to the Think Big Revelution. By publicly taking a stand, you make the invisible rules visible, and consequently easier to question, challenge and re-write.
Have a lovely weekend.
Carolyln
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Comment by Monique Gallagher on March 6, 2009 at 9:25pm -
Michael
I think this is an important concept for everyone to get about submitting or surrendering to someone else's more wise view.
We try to teach this to our children, but do we do it ourselves?
Monique
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Comment by Joan Schramm on March 6, 2009 at 3:06pm
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It is challenging to shake off old assumptions and live this way. I'm learning to turn my thoughts and feelings away from stuff that feels bad and spending more time on things that feel good. There's always another layer, another place to stretch and go deeper. That's the blessing -- and challenge -- of loving with authenticity. It's never over -- even in our last minutes, we'll be reaching out for something new; something better. What a ride!
© 2012 Created by Michael Port.
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