Start with You: Lead from the Inside is a book by Belinda Brosnan, published by Baker Street Press in Melbourne, Australia, in 2018. The book has 132 pages, including the table of contents, and is divided into two main parts.
Part 1 consists of four main topics that focus on navigating personal leadership. It explores ideas such as personal leadership starting from within, the stages of personal leadership development, mindset, and unlocking possibilities. These topics are supported by relevant, practical examples and thought-provoking statements that encourage readers to reflect on their own leadership journey. Nonetheless, one point of time; everyone no matter what is a leader.
Part 2 contains five main headings that focus on navigating one's way forward: Reveal, Resuscitate, Regulate, Recalibrate, and Radiate (5R's). Each of these ideas is explained through meaningful examples, relationships, and quotations. Together, the two parts provide a reflective journey from understanding oneself to becoming more intentional in the way one leads and influences others.
There are quite a few interesting lines in the book that resonate strongly with my beliefs about people, leadership, and, more importantly, the power that leaders hold, no matter how big or small the organisation is. A leader can influence an organisation or a community in endless ways, but the same influence, when exercised poorly, can also severely damage the people and community around them.
However, in my case, I'd like to take this idea from a little different angle. I believe that the power of an individual is significant not only within one's own home but also with community or organisation. Leadership does not necessarily begin with a title, position, or workplace.
Children often look up to their parents as role models for different reasons. A father, for example, can be an important figure in a child's life, particularly through the sense of protection, guidance, and security he provides while the child is growing up. At the same time, a mother is equally influential, and, in many cases, her sacrifices leave a lasting impression on her children. The courage of a mother can be seen in the sacrifices she makes to raise her child. Whether facing heat, cold, hardship, or uncertainty, she continues to give her best so that another human being can grow, live, and become capable of surviving independently. This I believe is a true leader! because it involves difficult roles-no giving up mentality is the one I feel is so important.
The child who grows up within such an environment eventually becomes part of society. That child may become a teacher, an engineer, a leader, or even a nation builder. In this sense, leadership at home can have consequences far beyond the boundaries of the family. The values, attitudes, work ethic, and integrity learned at home can eventually influence organisations, communities, and society they live in.
Likewise, becoming a successful leader is not easy, but it is certainly not impossible. There are many successful leaders across different organisations and institutions, and behind the success of many organisations is a good, visionary, and capable leader. For example, I see the Lt Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Kuan Yew-popularly known as LKY was someone to look up to as a visionary leader. Someone who has turned a small Island into a global hub and many more that what we all know about Singapore today is the hard-earned sweat of Mr LKY. The same principle can be applied to a successful family, where strong and responsible parents provide guidance, stability, and direction.
Some leaders may appear to be naturally gifted, but many leaders are shaped through experience, learning, mentoring, and the influence of others. Throughout my own life, working under different leaders has played an important role in shaping the person I'm today. The influence of a single person in a leadership position can be remarkable. A good leader can inspire you, develop your confidence, and bring out the best in you. Conversely, a poor leader can undermine your confidence and leave an impact that may take years to build or in some cases, it will damage everything including one's very morals. This is why having good leadership in an office, organisation, company, or institution is important.
Ultimately, leadership begins with oneself. It begins with how we think, how we treat people, how we respond to challenges, and how we influence those around us.
As a father myself, I'd like to believe that this book will help me become not only a good father but also a better leader. One day, my children will enter workplaces and become part of organisations and communities, and the ability and mindset they carry becomes my ability to nurture them in the best possible ways-to let them see the unseen or invisible! Long before they reach that stage, however, the foundations of their mindset, work ethic, integrity, and attitude will already have been shaped by the people and environment around them.
Perhaps, therefore, one of the greatest leadership responsibilities I've is not simply to lead people at work, but to lead by example at home. Many would believe that “everything starts from home and so is the leader.” If I can help my children grow into responsible, compassionate, resilient, and capable individuals, then perhaps I'll have contributed, in my own small way, to shaping a happy family person who can possibly have influence in building the nation.
This book is for all of us.
Whether one wants to become a successful leader, parent, teacher, lawyer, businessman, it starts within. Simply, one positive attitude or mindset can change everything!
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