I received the following by e-mail today and wanted to share:
To Be a Good Leader, Be Yourself
Excerpt from Leading The Way
By: Michael Crom
...Instead of trying to mirror the actions of someone else — who lived a different life and had a different personality — we should capitalize on the good in ourselves. A good leader is, first and foremost, true to himself or herself. We need to accept ourselves as we are and capitalize on our unique traits.
The Dale Carnegie Principles on "Selfness"
As you think of how to maintain a sense of self when under the societal or corporate pressure to conform, remember Part Four of the Dale Carnegie Principles:
Cultivate a Mental Attitude That Will Bring You Peace and Happiness.
1. Fill your mind with thoughts of peace, courage, health and hope.
2. Never try to get even with your enemies.
3. Expect ingratitude.
4. Count your blessings — not your troubles.
5. Do not imitate others.
6. Try to profit from your losses.
7. Create happiness for others.
How to Be Yourself
As I think of these principles, I realize that some people need concrete examples of how to create their sense of self. Here are ideas I’ve found work well:
· Personalize your work space with reminders of who you are. Perhaps it’s family pictures or pictures of yourself pursuing a hobby. It could be small toys or mementos of your successes both in and outside the workplace. A friend of mine enjoys science fiction because she says it opens her mind to possibilities. She keeps Star Trek® dolls she’s received as gifts in her office to remind her of those possibilities.
· Use music or writings to create the environment you’d like. For example, I read something every morning. It may be from a science fiction book, an adventure story or a business book. I also have a stereo in my office so I can listen to "mood" music. If I want to be creative, I choose Kenny G. If I need a boost in courage, I listen to the Chieftains, an Irish band. Both the music and the readings help me control my own attitude.
· Start a file containing examples of your good work and comments of encouragement you’ve received from others. Then, when things aren’t going well, you can pull it out and be reminded how good you are as an individual.
· Count your blessings. A friend of mine was having a difficult time at work, so she wrote a list of everything good about her life — a supportive spouse, loving children, nice house, etc. She kept it under her desk blotter so she could pull it out at any time. Some days she read it every hour. It kept her centered on the important things in her life.
· Remind yourself of the good you do. When we get discouraged about one thing, it’s very common to become discouraged about something else. Yet, a friend of mine who, six years ago, was told she’d die within three years, has a very succinct method for maintaining high spirits. "One day I gave two cents to a person in front of me at the grocery store whose bill was $10.02 and only had a $20 bill with her. It was no big deal, but she was so happy not to deal with all that change that I instantly was struck by the enormity of the situation," she once told me. "I realized that, no matter how small, everything good I do in the world is something that wouldn’t have been done if I’d died."
· End the work day by reaffirming who you are. When I was first in management, I was overwhelmed. I’d take an extra 15 minutes at the end of the day to put some classical music on my car stereo and drive through a park. When I got home, I felt human and relaxed again.
· Volunteer. Activities that get you out of the normal bounds are invaluable because they let you explore who you are. I’m a member of the Rotary Club because it gives me a chance to relate to business people on a different level and serve my community in a different way than my job offers.
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Get out there and be yourself...and feel good. ;)
5:02:01 PM 
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