At the heart of transformation is you

- What is a difference you want to make? In my book, Wired for Authenticity, one of the seven practices of inspired leaders is to dance with the dream. Research shows that when we engage with our dream, a difference we want to make, that inspires us, it helps us find meaning in our work. It helps us be more successful. Transforming ourselves is both challenging and rewarding. As we pursue missions important to us, we grow who we are, we increase our capacity to rise to the challenges that inspire us. What is the biggest barrier for you to make that difference? Take a minute to jot down the first thing that comes to mind. What is the biggest enabler for you to make a difference? Take another minute to jot down what comes to mind. The answer, my friends, is often you. I've worked with hundreds of coaching clients and here's what they discover. As a transformational leader in order to create change around you, you must be willing to create change within you. Let's start with your inspiration for taking this course. Answer these questions for yourself. Imagine three years from now you're feeling energized and inspired about a change that you helped to make happen. Describe what happened. What is the new possibility that energizes you? What inspires you about this change? Who is positively impacted and what's different for them? What are you already good at that will help you make that difference? What new skills and resources will you need? You can download the exercise file, discover your inspiration, and write down your answers. Research shows that when you engage in the exercise files and self-reflection tools, you are more successful in your learning and your impact. Let's take the example of Anna. Anna works on the Apollo project team. Anna's team members don't trust each other and their boss appears disengaged. All this really frustrates Anna, even though she likes her team teammates, she hates attending the team meetings. Anna decides that she wants to make a difference. She wants a team where people trust each other and enjoy working together. She wants Apollo to be the best product in the market. Anna knows that she's already got some strengths to help her achieve her goal. She has great relationships with some of the team members. She has great ideas, but she's not the boss and can't tell the team what to do. Anna decides that she wants to work on her influencing skills. How about you? Does your dream inspire you to learn and grow? I hope my friends, that your answer is yes. Let's do this.