Barcelos 2013 European Capital of Ideas

In situations of distrust and dismay, imagination and creativity become complicit in the process of change humanity anxiously waiting. We have to foresee the future in bases that are still to be defined but that we can think, stopping long enough to share an idea: design a world in which we feel well with each other. You can find happy people with few resources available. We who are human beings, we are living through a period of being "human havings". Material goods are debts to our balance. We've want to exceed and we've want what others have. The balance continues to be in nature and there is much that we've abandoned as a source of wisdom. We turn us for our little and egotist personal dimension, keeping us so even with the survival instinct asleep.. The doubts are few. We have to change life, leadership and consciousness. Whatever it takes for us has to be thought together. Think of true democracy, each within itself to be able to respect that of others. Hence the European Capital of the ideas, which never comes late and can serve to whom wish it.

collaborative networks

For Avolio (2010) the authentic leadership is a form of knowing itself, be coherent with itself, having a positive orientation and having the strength to follow a direction based on its development and the development of others. The leaders know and defend their values and take their decisions on the basis of all these. The followers identified on their leaders a high level of self-awareness in relation to values, beliefs, emotions, self-identity and skills (Laguerre, 2010). In the opinion of Yukl (2010) the actions of the authentic leaders are strongly determined by their values and their beliefs. Roux (2010) believes that the authentic leaders act in accordance with deep personal convictions and values, to build credibility, respect and the confidence of their followers, encouraging diverse viewpoints and building collaborative networks causing followers recognize them as authentic leaders.

Speed of trust conceptual tree

The Leadership Challenge quotes

The Leadership Challenge (Portuguese edition, 2009) of Koutzes & Posner continues to be a fundamental book on understanding the concept of leadership. Here are some notes to "sharpen" our ingenuity. (P.13) The Leadership Challenge ... speaks of strategies that leaders use to transform values into actions, visions into realities, obstacles into innovations, separateness into solidarity and risks into rewards. …The abundance of challenges is not the problem. It’s how we respond to the challenges that counts. With the response we give to the challenges, we can seriously aggravate or substantially improve the world in which we live and work. (P.14) …Restore hope and create a deeper sense of meaning in life. …What we found and re-discover that leadership cannot be reduced to a few charismatic men and women. …When the leader in all of us is released, extraordinary feats happen. (P.18) The first place where you should look for is a leader within ourselves. (P.19) The domain of leaders is the future. The leader's unique legacy is the creation of recognized institutions that endure over time. We need more exemplary leaders and we need them now more than ever. There is so much extraordinary work that needs to be done. We need leaders who can unite and awaken us. (P.36) The leadership isn’t about personality, but rather with behavior. ... The exemplary leaders know that if they want to achieve commitment and achieve the highest standards, must show the behavior they expect of others. The leaders show the path. (P.37) To show behaviors that we expect from others, first of all leaders must present clearly the guiding principles. They must clarify values. ...The leaders have to stand up for what they believe in, so it's better to have something to believe. But the leader's values are not the only ones that matters. The leaders are not representing themselves. They speak and act on behalf of something bigger, a larger organization. ...The acts of leaders are more important than what you say when it’s needed to determine the relation between the seriousness of a leader and what he says. ...The exemplary leaders are the first to comply. (P.38) Showing the path implies earning the right and respect to lead through direct involvement and direct action. People follow the person first and then the plan. ...All organizations, all social movements begin with a dream. The dream or vision is the force that creates the future. Leaders inspire a shared vision. (P.39) A clear picture of the future pulls them forward. ...The leaders cannot order the commitment, only inspire it. ...Leaders must attract others to the common vision. ...People have to believe that leaders understand their needs and they are aware of their interests. Leadership is a dialogue, not a monologue.

Think of our own head

Authentic leaders are common people who don’t try to imitate anyone and can be themselves when necessary. In our teens try to mimic our idols in the best and in the worst. But that does not last forever. Think of our own head is a challenge that makes us grow and know us better. Even when, to defend a position, we are alone, it is essential to know who we are consciously. So, the secret is in the authenticity of our ability to develop our leadership style consistent with the personality and character. But what really counts is authenticity, not style. Bill George (2003, Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets of Creating lasting value; 2007, True North; 2009, 7 Lessons to lead in crisis) regained Greenleaf idea that leadership is a genuine act of serving others. According to George, who was CEO of Meditronic, the leaders who lead more interested in empowering people so that they make a difference than power, money or prestige. They are guided by the qualities of the heart, passion and compassion, as well as the qualities of the mind.

Flu and Leadership

It’s the influence and not the mind control that strengths leadership. If you get others whom we interact with, to achieve the goals that match our vision as if it were their own, we’re contributing to the freedom and the realization of everyone’s life project. i.e., we must not mistake leadership with hierarchical titles or positions. If authenticity exists, anyone, upon making their voices heard, can become a leader. The authentic leader shows characteristics that pass for autonomy and for bearing their own true selves: 1. To have the vision. Not only in accessing a glimpse of the future, but also in discerning the complex situations facing ahead and with the wisdom that guides them to extract the best for everyone. 2. Demonstrate initiative. Leaders are always first when you need a role model do set an example. They don’t react, they are proactive. They anticipate the difficulties and prepare solutions that fits everyone. 3. Influence others. The etymological root of the word is the same as the scientific name for the flu - influenza. Therefore, we can metaphorically call leaders as "contagious" in the way they "drag" others into their vision and values. They make others think as if they decided on their own. 4. Achieving Goals. Especially those achieved by changing the attitude of followers. If there is no change as a result of the action of the leader you can’t speak about leadership. 5. Being upstanding. To say what we want to do and to do what we say, respecting the values of others and their own. Not agreeing with what may be politically correct does not correspond to the direction of the developed action.