Developing the Leader Within

by Kenneth Rice

Self-Identity

The most basic defining moment demands that leaders resolve the issue of personal identity which has serious implications for their future. In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves. Self-leadership was understood as their number one responsibility. “The higher leaders climb up the corporate ladder the greater their burden of responsibility and their need to reevaluate themselves and their whole self.” (Fairholm, 1997, p. 6). Once you have mastered self-leadership, there is plenty of guidance available on leading others. Leadership of others is the subject of hundreds of books and courses. Self-leadership involves self identity, self-regulation, personal growth, and is vital for achievement of our goals, even if we never lead another person. London (2001) asserted that “People have to know themselves and understand their environments in order to adapt and learn.” (p. 27).