BEHAVIOR BY MAJORITY VOTE

One often allows the crowd that surrounds them to determine their behavior. Such an individual quickly loses their self-identity and becomes one of the many aimless individuals that follow the latest fads or trends. Although some animal populations survive as a herd without a defined leader, groups of humans need a strong individual who is willing to break from the pack just enough to enable him/her to lead the pack. A leader is one who does not determine his/her behavior by majority vote. Rather, to lead a crowd one must read a crowd. By reading or engaging the crowd, a leader can make an informed decision about the next step. A leader who reads a crowd is considered wise; a person who is led by a crowd is a coward.

BEHAVIOR BY MOMENTARY CONDITIONS

Pressures, problems and personalities all contribute to the circumstances that control the lives of many people. Have you learned yet that most of the circumstances in your life are out of your control? Like a boat on the water, you can’t control the height of the wake but you can control the direction of the sail. Smart leaders have determined that ever-changing circumstances will not dictate their behavior. How can leaders express a positive attitude and a can-do spirit when circumstances seem murky and bleak? They have determined that their ship of behavior will be steered according to the fixed stars and not the protean clouds.

BEHAVIOR BY MORAL INTENT

Smart leaders determine that their character will dictate their behavior. Through a deep commitment to integrity, Smart leaders declare that crowds or circumstances will not direct their behavior, but rather that they will cultivate inner characteristics that provide lasting self-identity and a strong sense of purpose. Such moral intent, or the lack thereof, is at the heart of a leader’s success or failure. Here’s a very powerful axiom:

When one’s visible behavior contradicts one’s stated character it creates insecurity.

When one’s visible behavior compliments one’s stated character it cultivates integrity.

Integrity, or wholeness, allows one to grow and achieve. Insecurity, or divided-ness, hinders potential and leads to withdrawal and decay. As smart leaders have known all along, a life of integrity -- both in word and in deed -- is the key to enjoying the success journey.

THE BEHAVIORAL PROCESS

As you begin to think about your behavior it will become evident that there are certain drives that determine behavior. In working to cultivate the deeper characteristics of behavior that we will discuss below, and to rework certain annoying or useless habits, it is helpful to understand the process of behavior:

My behavior determines my emotions

My habits develop my behavior

My will dictates my habits

My character directs my will

From this process, Smart leaders draw two very important lessons:

1. Emotional energy is a direct result of proper behavior. Or, as one smart leader has stated it: you don’t do what you do because you feel the way you feel, you feel the way you feel because you do what you do! Actions determine emotions.

2. Willpower alone is not enough to change behavior. Character is an inner impetus that goes deeper than willpower. So often we have attempted to make something happen -- lose weight, study harder, or act differently -- by sheer willpower when our character had not been fully cultivated to direct the change.

This is not so say that willpower has no influence over character. It takes willpower to begin the process of character development. It’s like lifting weights. The momentary will to lift the barbell develops the muscle (character) that enables one to lift it again and again with more and more ease. What is at first foreign becomes native.

CULTIVATING CHARACTER-ISTICS

While willpower can be mustered on a whim, character must be developed over time. Here are four characteristics that if consistently cultivated will lead to a character that can rise above circumstances and stand out from the crowd. These inner characteristics will provide a broad base of integrity and wellness that will well serve any leader in any situation.  

1. Develop the character-istic of an honest life.

2. Develop the character-istic of a lifelong learner.

3. Develop the character-istic of a healthy life.

4. Develop the character-istic of a spiritual life.

LEADERSHIP AND BEHAVIOR

Smart leaders who think about behavior and cultivate the character-istics of integrity will find that the course they chart in life will be one of influence, innovation and intelligence -- and that is leadership by any definition.

MOVIES FOR LEADERS WHO THINK ABOUT BEHAVIOR

To supplement your thinking about behavior, here is a list of movies that offer insight into the relationship between one’s behavior and one’s success or failure. Watch thoughtfully and enjoy:

THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE

Bagger Vance: I hear you lost your swing. I guess we got to go find it.

THE REPLACEMENTS

Shane Falco: Why me?

Jimmy McGinty: I look at you and I see two men: the man you are and the man you should be. Someday those two men will meet, and it should make for one hell of a football player.

CITIZEN KANE

Charles Foster Kane: You know, Mr. Bernstein, if I hadn't been very rich, I might have been a really great man.

KARATE KID

Miyagi: Now use head for something other than target.

COP LAND

Sheriff Freddy Heflin: I look at this town, and I don't like what I see.