Attributes of Leadership

Adapted from Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Some people are born with external qualities to be considered a natural leader such as charisma, magnetism, charm and beauty. For the most part it tends to work out if they can find tutelage or mentoring with someone to assist them with developing the more intricate qualities and values that would have them become successful with managing large groups and projects. In this blog we will discuss the “Attributes of Leadership” that Napoleon Hill listed in his book Think and Grow Rich.

The comments for each characteristic he has listed are from my own life adventures. Much of my experience in the role of leader began as an accident while I was in high school. One day the head lunch lady told me that I should start a petition to have Free Breakfast started at our high school. I had no idea what she was talking about, and I said, “okay”. So I created a petition and had the students and teachers sign it and then returned to her a few days several pages of signatures. She was so delighted. From that day forward she would tell people, “If you want to get something done, give it to Rita.” Subsequently, I led walk-outs, sit-ins, demonstrations, protest of all kind. This pattern continued through college even though it was a predominately white campus. I share that with you just to give you a general overview of my exposure to leadership opportunities. Okay, enough about me. Let’s discuss the Attributes of Leadership according to Napoleon Hill:

1. Unwavering courage based upon knowledge of self - Our strongest insights come from knowing our own limitations and strength. This way we can put the team around us that can support the outcomes even when we can’t do it ourselves.

2. Self-Control - This is an ego matter. Sometimes our magnetism and charisma attract quite a few distractions and tend to alter our focus and intention. Having self control is a maturing element that requires intentionality and discipline to acquire. Once you have developed this, you will attract the most amazingly beautiful and sensual people you could imagine and what you would be present to is the energy they bring to your life. And you would not want to do anything to interrupt the contribution they naturally are.

3. A Keen Sense of Justice – Do you have the compassion and the ability to be circumspect and objective? This is a tough one for many of us because we either want to “rescue” others or take “selfish-care” of our own issues. To harness this quality I suggest prayer and meditation so that you can objectively sense the Universal privilege of who you are for others and with others.

4. Definiteness of Decisions – Every decision is both a good and bad decision the point here is to make the decision and move forward on working it out. Most people make decisions and then doubt themselves the entire time which in term destroys the outcome. Always seek to move in the direction you are going instead of questioning after the fact. Make the decision and stick to it.

5. Definiteness of Plans – There is work involved with this one. Most of us miss our opportunities because we don’t want to work out the details, the strategy or develop the idea. We think that the gift is the idea and then talk about it hoping that someone else will help us work it out. When the idea comes to you, the gift is developing yourself to the point of its fulfillment. Going through the ups and downs, ebb and flow and all the pain associated with growth, expansion and achievement.

6. A Habit of Doing More Than Paid for – This is a crucial element. Most people limit themselves in how they contribute because they want to withhold themselves based on the price that someone is paying for their time and labor. Opportunity is always present for us to share our gifts, talents and skills. When we look at our employer and say, “you didn’t hire me to do that”, we are saying loud and clear, “I am not a team player”. When we share our creativity that expansion alone opens the way for the Universe to give us more opportunities and more gifts. Always look to give, without seeking anything in return. You cannot out give the Creator.

7. A Pleasing Personality – How do you make people feel when they are around you? I have walked away from a number of business contracts and business partners because all they can see and comment on is the negative. Some how we have gotten into our mind that it is okay to put negative vibration into the space and then expect something positive to come through it. Pay attention to how you leave people when you are with them. This will be a sure indicator as to whether your personality is pleasing or not. This is one of the easiest characteristics to change if you ask me.

8. Sympathy and Understanding – Compassion as a leader is key because it allows you to hear where people are right in the moment. Some of us want to force the outcome and not accept what is going on in the midst of the chaos. When we can put ourselves in other people’s shoes and get a sense of how they walk through life it becomes easier for them to follow us anywhere because they know we have their heart in the matter. When we lack compassion, we also limit our view.

9. Mastery of Detail – Can’t see the trees because of the forest? I have heard over and over again that, “the devil is in the details”. As a Project Manager in the Technology industry I became very accustomed at looking at all the separate pieces and seeing how things fit together. A tedious process indeed and yet the overall success came from being able to break it all down to the simplest detail and build from there. This skill is high level and it can be mastered. However, you must be willing to work alone and quietly to get it handled in the right manner.

10. Willingness to Assume Full Responsibility – As self-explanatory as this sounds many of us look for excuses to bail us out If only this or that would have happened, and it didn’t happen because we didn’t make it happen. Having the ability to respond to the challenge before us is what has us be responsible. Most people take the blame; this is not the same as taking full responsibility. Make it happen!

11. Cooperation – In our society we have become conditioned to believe that cooperating is a form of surrender or a passive stance. When we cooperate we are putting forward our effort and genius to create the outcomes we are committed to see happen. Learning to cooperate with others and having the ability to create a team of people that are cooperating with each other is a true measure of great leadership.

These are the points that were brought out by Napoleon Hill in his book, Think and Grow Rich. I highly recommend reading this book if you are interested in pursuing a life of wealth and freedom.

If you require any assistance integrating any of these concepts into your personal style of leadership and/or development, send me an email to mushemsut@gmail.com. You can also find a list of workshop, seminars and teleconferences for personal growth and development at www.mushemsut.com.

Thank you for reading my blog! Love and Light!

~~ Mu Shemsu-t

Why Meditate?

It's the end of another busy day at work and there is still so much to do. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your busy schedule? Are you totally bombarded by the responsibilities of your life? Are your stress levels causing you to over eat, drink or not sleep? If you have been trying to find solutions to balance your energy and center your emotions, then I suggest that meditation would make an amazing difference in your life.

Try this, exhale the air from your lungs. Now slowly breathe in through your nose allowing the air to fill your stomach before it moves up to your lungs and chest. Then slowly exhale allowing your stomach to slightly push the air out of your stomach at the end of your breath. Okay one more time, and with your eyes closed.

You can immediately fill the calmness as it slows down your thoughts, your heartbeat and the parasympathetic nervous system. When you practice this method of stillness for at least 10 minutes in the morning, you will be amazed at the level of clarity you will achieve. Add another 10 minutes to your afternoon, evening and bedtime routine and you will never have to deal with being overwhelmed by stress again.



When I am working with my Life Coach clients, we begin and end our sessions with an exercise similar to the one I've outlined above. Many of them continue to use this practice in their daily lives and have found it to be invaluable. It's free and easy to use anytime you choose. 



Statistics on people who meditate have shown they become less stressed and calmer. Statistics on people who meditate in groups have even shown the crime rate in that particular area drop significantly. There are statistics on everything related to meditation. There are so many different statistics on meditation and statistics on people who meditate because meditation in one form or another has been around for thousands of years.

Many doctors have studied the statistics on people who meditate and now prescribe meditation for their patients. These patients have reported more energy, higher productivity and more patience. Business owners have reported that among employees, who meditate, absenteeism is lower, production is higher, and the quality of their work is better thus proving the statistics on people who meditate are right.

A Detroit based chemical plant posted the following results three years after implementing meditation:

• Absenteeism fell by 85%
• Productivity rose 120%
• Injuries dropped 70%
• Profits increased 520%

According to reports, there have been over 1500 separate studies since 1930. All were related to meditation and its effects on the practitioners. Some statistics on people who meditate include results like:

• Heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and oxygen consumption are all decreased.

• Meditators are less anxious and nervous.

• Meditators were more independent and self-confident

• People who deliberated daily were less fearful of death.

• 75% of insomniacs who started a daily meditation program were able to fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed.

• Production of the stress hormone Cortisol is greatly decreased, thus making it possible for those people to deal with stress better when it occurs.

• Women with PMS showed symptom improvements after 5 months of steady daily rumination and reflection.

• Thickness of the artery walls decreased which effectively lowers the risk of heart attack or stroke by 8% to 15%.

• Relaxation therapy was helpful in chronic pain patients.

• 60% of anxiety prone people showed marked improvements in anxiety levels after 6-9 months.

It has been documented that people who use meditation and relaxation techniques may be physiologically younger by 12 to 15 years; could this possibly be the Fountain of Youth? While there are probably many other studies to look at, I believe that the results reported above are clear. Meditation, relaxation, reflection and deliberation can affect the physical body in a positive way just as stress and other factors affect the body in a negative one. In either case science and the statistics on people who meditate, has confirmed the positive effects of meditation beyond a shadow of a doubt. If you'd like more support with creating a meditation practice for yourself or your children you can order our Wealth Manifestation Audio Program or “I am Jams”, a student affirmation dance rhythm, from our website www.mushemsut.com. We've incorporate beautiful melodic mantras that will have you humming all day long. 


You are also welcome to join us on our bi-monthly Moon Cycle Tele-Meditation which takes place at the New Moon and Full Moon of each month. For more information visit www.mushemsut.com
 or call 773-969-6211.

Thank you for reading my blog. May you enjoy the beauty of your life today!




Blessings and Light,



Mu Shemsu-t

mushemsut@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/mushemsut
www.blogtalkradio.com/mushemsut

Those eViL pEoPle

Growing up in a household of females where each one of them had issues of self-esteem, money troubles, man problems and PMS, being the youngest, I received more than my share of grief and abuse. As a matter of fact in my twenties when I began doing work to heal my soul from the trauma of my childhood, every memory I had reminded me that no one loved me. I searched long and hard for just one clue that I was cared for, and it did not exist within my family circle. At the age of 28 I ran across a book by M. Scott Peck called, The People of The Lie: The Healing of Human Evil.

The People of The Lie, discussed the phenomenon of evil from the position of psychiatric medicine, since Dr. Peck himself was a psychotherapist by trade. He pointed out in his work that evil people have a tendency to be lazy by nature. They refuse to do anything that is outside of what they are already doing for themselves. The official definition he gives for evil is the “unwillingness to extent one’s Self for the benefit of another person”. Can you already see who the main victims are for evil people? Of course, it would be those who are unable to take care of themselves. In our society, that would be children, animals and some elderly persons.

Do you ever notice parents have children an make strong attempts to have them conform to their lifestyle, their plans, their agenda, and their thinking? Yet, as soon as the child is old enough to challenge these directions they become a burden (this usually happens around the age of 2). Many parents are unwilling to allow children to expand the parent’s capacity to nurture, love and serve. Usually parents don’t think about serving the child. If only we could see the honor attached to serving a young body, whose spirit has returned to Earth to continue on a mission they were unable to a complete during a previous lifetime. Imagine the love we would find in ourselves if we allowed our own hearts to expand in the exposure of new ideas, adventures and imaginary happenings. So we narrow our participation to work, discipline and providing for the material necessities in life.

Now I am not saying that parents should not be concerned with making sure the material comforts of living are provided. However, it has been my observation that we have been so consumed with our material existence, that we don’t bother with the spiritual and emotional nurturing of ourselves; and for sure not fpr our children. I find it somewhat a lost opportunity for bonding when young babies have to be put into childcare that is not the parent, grandparent or other loving family members. I have a concern about this because evil people tend to lurk around those who are easy to abuse and dominate. The only intention of evil people is to put the light out, damper the spirit of those that are too happy and joyful in life.

Dr. Peck says in his book, that evil people do not want to be shown their own darkness or the constricted places in their heart, therefore they work to dominate and control those individual’s whose light shine on their evil ways. And the only way we can assist individuals in this mindset is to love them. Imagine that, love is the healing anecdote for evil people. When I got to that part of the book I was able to realize that the evil encounters I had experienced in life had actually taught me how to love and be more loving. It took several more years before I was clear about how to love my Self. However, I have also been able to see that both evil and loving people are attracted to the light. So if you are a spiritually conscious person, be mindful that you will attract evil people and it may seem like they are trying to destroy you, and it isn’t personal. This is their way of being. They don’t know any other way to live their life; this is what they have been taught and what they currently know. So if you allow them the opportunity to be in your space and see how you operate, they actually have a chance to learn more about living spiritually.

Anytime a person tell me they believe in God, I can see the degree to which they operate in that belief by how they love and be loved by others. God, spiritual essence, is all about love and nothing else. So to be evil to someone because they were evil to you, is not a loving way to be, nor is it healthy for you. If you don’t have the capacity to be around such people I suggest that you stay clear away from them. As a matter of reference, studies have noted that negative people have far more influence on positive people than positive people have on negative people.

Before I end this blog, let me be responsible in saying that everyone that has a negative attitude or a negative disposition is not necessarily evil. There are clear factors that demonstrate evil tendencies – (1) Laziness (2) Unwillingness to extend one’s self for the benefit of another (3) Selfishness (4) Pretence – which is why they are called “people of the lie.”

If you are experiencing issues with evil in your own life let me suggest that you read The People of The Lie, and then send me an email so that I can assist you in processing this information for your own spiritual development. We are not here to change others we can only change ourselves. Subsequently, if we want to make a difference in the life of others, we are to be the example of love.

Thank you for reading my blog and I look forward to our expansion and an increase in our flow.

Hetep!

~~ Mu Shemsu-t
mushemsut@gmail.com
www.mushemsut.com