“Let the foundations thereof be strongly laid.”
Ezra 6:3A
s I write here in France with my son sitting outside in
the sunshine, the song “Dancing in the Moonlight” is
playing on the radio. That music has become a regular
part of our time here together this year. I suspect that
particular track will be a reminder to me for years to come. The
music is now an “anchor” for a very special time and the very
good emotions I have attached to this period. And the value
of associating the music to this time is that I will not only be
able to recall the events we have experienced when I hear it,
but I will also re-experience the emotions I feel right now.
Leading starts with the ability to lead ourselves. To do this
we need first and foremost to be able to manage our
emotional state. Not only is this the first step but it is
probably one of the most important steps and yet surprisingly
it is omitted from many leadership models. Any glitch in
emotional state leads almost inevitably to a less than
resourceful response to situations. If we feel irritation, guilt,
anger, frustration, doubt, or self-consciousness, the result will
be less than we are capable of and will be unlikely to be a
win/win. In contrast, feelings of ease, confidence, forgiveness,
acceptance, inspiration, and amusement are states that areWe need to be able to manage
our emotional state