World Leadership Day FAQ's
Founder and Leader of WLD, Elisabeth Gortschacher answers FAQ
If your question is not amongst them send it to email and it will be added here.
1. What inspired you to create World Leadership Day?
I was searching for a way to recognize the leadership in every person and not just in high profile leaders our society recognizes, endorses and celebrates.
Today there is so much talk about leadership, or more precisely the absence of leadership. Many people are disillusioned with the kind of leadership they experience and are searching for a different kind of leader. Leadership is an innate potential we all have that is expressed through our authenticity and uniqueness.
The actual idea of founding World Leadership Day was sparked during a discussion with my US publicist, Nancy Mills in September 2006. I was amazed with all the talk on leadership that no one had thought of creating WLD before.
2. What is your definition of leadership?My personal definition refers to soul-inspired leadership. You are a soul-inspired leader when your actions, choices and words align with your soul’s purpose.
Soul-inspired leadership is not about how many people follow your vision. It is about how fully aligned you are in expressing your soul’s purpose to the world.
Soul-inspired leadership is about unearthing and articulating the innate purpose that is expressed through our personal leadership. It provides the foundation for the development of leadership skills in any chosen field.
The traditional approach to leadership development focuses on leadership skills and desired leadership qualities being blind to the innate purpose that is at the core of leadership IN EVERY PERSON. I liken this to building a skyscraper without a foundation and structural framework. Is it surprising that it collapses under the slightest strain?
3. If everyone is a leader why do we see followers?
On the surface it may look like some are leaders and some are followers when in fact this is not the case. A person will align their leadership with that of others when it allows them to express their soul’s purpose and soul-inspired leadership, irrespective of their conscious awareness.
This reality challenges our existing paradigms of leaders and followers.
There may be several reasons why we may perceive the leader-follower paradigm. Reluctance to take personal responsibility out of fear of failure; fear of making mistakes; fear of consequences; unpleasant past experiences; or feeling powerless and believing that one has nothing to contribute.
People who may be seen as followers, I believe, are people who still find themselves in the grip of fear. They may be at the verge of waking up and discovering who they are and why they are here. As WLD Ambassadors I see us reaching out to these people, awakening them to their innate gifts and leadership potential and developing confidence and trust in themselves.
4. How does The World Leadership Day define Authentic Leadership?
We define authentic leadership or innate leadership as building life, career, business and the world from one’s innate identity.5. Many people see leadership as being at the forefront/the boss, being the one to take the initiative to get things done, being at the top with subordinates following. How does the WLD definition differ from this traditional view of leadership?
True, many people hold this view of leadership. It is often more about the authority of the position than leadership per se.
In traditional leadership there is more focus on ‘How to do Leadership vs What Leadership is for.’ This I believe is due to an absence or gross neglect of acknowledging and expressing our innate leadership, our reason for being here. I concur with Prof Sinclair’s view of leadership “Leadership is not a job or a position but a way of influencing others towards ends recognised as valuable and fulfilling.”
6. Many people tend to only give credibility to “known” and recognized leaders (the rich and famous). Are you a leader if you are “unknown” - what if you are just living your life by example and being a good role model for others, like parents, does that make you a leader?
Traditional ways of thinking ties leadership to leadership positions, powerful figures and the rich and famous.
Leadership is first and foremost about purpose and is and can be expressed in any area of life irrespective of holding an official leadership position.
When you live your life by example and being a good role model you are influencing others towards ends recognized as valuable and fulfilling, making you a leader by Prof Sinclair’s leadership definition.
7. What are the signs and characteristics that a person is leader? How do you know if a child or youth is a leader?
We at WLD believe that every individual is, innately, a leader, creator and innovator. So it is about uncovering and acknowledging the qualities and gifts a person demonstrates vs judging them against a pre-defined set of leadership characteristics.
I have recently asked several mothers what they are noticing about their children. A common theme emerged. Children as young as three are talking about bringing love to the world and about being healers. Does this mean they are leaders?
I believe it is important to observe and cultivate these qualities, and to remember what we focus on grows. If you believe your child is a leader and you cultivate that in him or her that is what you will see.
8. What are techniques to recognize, honor and develop leadership in everyone? Listening…observing…trusting our intuition?
I tend to shy away from the term technique because we set some pre-conceived criteria based on what we know.
Yes, listening, observing, trusting and intuition imply a deeper path of discovery and inner knowing.
Over time as we share our observations, thoughts and insights with our growing WLD team across the globe, new themes and processes will emerge that we can and will share with the world keeping it fluid without attaching ourselves firmly to one belief, process or concept.
9. What are some ideas for implementing WLD in the participating countries?
A WLD event requires a team approach to make it an inspiring and engaging experience. Having conversations with people you respect and admire is a good start as it allows you to canvass their interest and commitment in being part of it. Ideas usually flow freely from such conversations.
We are always open and available for bouncing off ideas. As far as suggesting ideas and initiatives we like these to come from the WLD Ambassadors based on their country’s culture, political environment, experience, expertise and leadership drive.
Going with the energy and flow, while being proactive and keeping an eye on cash flow, are my suggestions.
10. Is there a target audience?
Yes and No. The whole of humanity is our target audience.
The target audience can be determined by our WLD theme.For 2008 the theme was ‘Inspire the Youth of the World’ so our target audience were youth and leaders who are doing significant work with youth.
Our theme for 2009 “Beyond the Surface” will make it an all inclusive audience.
11. How will all of the participants know they are part of a larger network?
Through various ways such as:
♣ Effective communication at all levels of the WLD team internationally and within each country.♣ Regular teleconference calls that provide a forum for keeping in touch, sharing ideas and experiences, getting inspired, and keeping up to date what is happening around the world.
♣ WLD Ambassadors fostering strong relationships and effective communication with their teams in respective countries.
♣ The Global WLD website and links to WLD Ambassadors own websites.
♣ Use of WLD Logo and tagline
♣ WLD Ambassadors and their active, contributing team members have access to the WLD logo for display on their website and in email signature. Use of logo in other correspondence is restricted to WLD Ambassadors.
♣ The yearly WLD E-book publication available as free download from the WLD website and WLD Ambassadors websites.
♣ WLD Ambassadors personal initiative and commitment to staying connected and contribute to the larger WLD network
12. Would WLD have to be celebrated on 20 March each year or can it be a weeklong event or done on a different day?
The official World Leadership Day is March 20.
The WLD celebrations are being held one week either side of that date to create flexibility and allow Ambassadors and other people to attend WLD celebrations in other participating countries.
13. What do you expect of WLD Ambassadors?
♣ Having a passion for leadership, feeling aligned with the WLD Vision, Mission and Values.
♣ Modeling authentic leadership 24/7 and demonstrating a high level of integrity in all aspects of our WLD work.
♣ Promoting the vision of WLD in their respective countries and using individual and collective initiative to work towards realizing the WLD vision.
♣ Free sharing of ideas, resources, concepts and experiences that further our collective growth and development as leaders and WLD Ambassadors.
♣ A commitment to timely communication and to attending regular group calls at mutual agreed dates and times planned ahead for the whole year.
