The Leader Within

“The matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes, to blind you from the truth.”
~ Morpheus

Last week, as pro bono service work, I gave a talk at a correctional institute to 75 residents on their last leg – about to be released – into freedom.  I often contemplate the nature of freedom, wondering how free any of us really are.

We all want more money, power and prestige because we think it holds the key to freedom.  But aren’t we really after inner freedom – not subject to any external measure?  A calm mind, an open heart and a fearless soul.  What I’ve learned is what keeps us from inner freedom are illusory prisons made of conditioned limiting beliefs and emotions.

And from there we try and lead others – but where are we leading, really, if we’re prisoners of a mind structure, a mental matrix if you will.  Until we begin to witness the matrix for what is, our ability to really lead others is limited.

The world needs awakened leaders – leaders that are committed and courageous enough to look inward, sort out fact from fiction, reality from the meaning we overlay on top of reality, and find true power and inner freedom to lead themselves first, and their followers after.  The Emotional Quotient was a great step forward from IQ in assessing and developing leadership effectiveness.  Perhaps the time has come for the next leap – the Consciousness Quotient.