Day 6 Leading from Within

Summer 2015 Book Discussion

Parker Palmer—Let Your Life Speak

Chapter 5, Leading from Within, opens the conversation about leadership. Each of us possesses qualities and gifts that enable us to excel in life. Almost daily we are called into “actions” that require us to lead sometimes from within and sometimes externally and in a variety of capacities…our homes, or work place, communities, government…etc.  How we chose to engage in these capacities, our actions and attitudes, are an insight into how we encircle our lives. Do we look at all aspects and move forward or do we sit back and wallow and wait for others to take action.  Palmer then reminds us that often in areas that see the most darkness, leaders arise who are most worthy of respect and credibility. Perhaps leaders are most respected when they can rise from the dark, acknowledge where they or a situation has been and note how to build upon and move forward into the light. In a world built upon community, leadership is never easy. However if we encourage ourselves to look deep into ourselves and our gifts we will note our capacity to lead or to encourage others to do so. 

1.     “A leader is someone with the power to project either shadow or light into some part of the world and onto the lives of people who dwell there.” (page 78) Can you name a person or persons who possesses the gift of leadership?    
2.  “Good leadership comes from people who have penetrated their own inner darkens and arrived at the place where we are at with one another, people who can lead the rest of us to a place of “hidden wholeness” because they have been there and know the way.” (page 81) Do you find it important for a leader to understand their personal inner darkness and lead others to do the same?