Fake it 'Til You Make It (Week 6)

I have a friend that always used to say "fake it 'til you make it." I hate the phrase. All it meant to me was that I had to suffer in uncertainty until I was finally to a place of content. It meant, feel an uncomfortable feeling until you eventually get used to it. Once I decided to do try applying this phrase I found that it was beyond useful in so many aspects of my life.

I have an advisor that is always emphasizing the need to develop myself as a leader and I appreciate his persistence. However, I read books and articles, listened to lectures, and attended programs all aimed at making a leader out of me. I have heard so many quotes that were intended to inspire me. My inner desires to lead have never really been sparked. I guess I'd like to hear of traits that leaders posses that are similar to qualities that I ALREADY posses myself.

While reading an interview conducted by Adam Bryant for New York Times entitled "He's Not Bill Gates, or Fred Astaire," I read something that was "real," for lack of a better term. Vineet Nayar is the Chief Executive of HCL Technologies told of his most effective leadership ability. I will leave you with his quote:

"The first day coming out of B-school, I joined HCL, and I became a boss of two people. And what I learned immediately is that they were as smart as me, their aspirations were just as great, but they did not know what to do. I also discovered that I did not know what to do, but I lied through my teeth in those early days, projecting this sense that I knew what had to be done. I did not know where I had to go, and I was projecting as if I knew. I assume that you expect me to know where I am going, and you will respect me for that, and the day I tell you both of us are in the same boat, we would fail. That was a very big learning for me."

The photo above was taken from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/business/14cornerweb.html?pagewanted=1&ref=business