ROLE OF SELF DISCIPLINE IN LEADERSHIP IS FOUNDATION

It is usually said discipline is one of the foundational pillars of leadership and key to achieving goals and executing vision.

Discipline is one of the key qualities found in effective leaders. Actually discipline determines destiny. One can have good desires but it is discipline that really determines destiny in terms of achieving those desires. As a leader, your discipline or lack of it is going to determine your destiny, what you do, what you achieve, where you go or don’t go, and even the quality of your character. Self discipline is personal training that develops self control and character, ultimately producing an orderly and efficient life. It is the ability to do what you should do even when you don’t feel like. Without self discipline vision and goals cannot be effectively implemented. Purposeful living usually inspires a disciplined lifestyle. Leaders must intentionally live purposeful lifestyles in order to execute plans and goals.

Discipline is defined as a system of rules of conduct, a complex of methods and standards governing behavior. It’s the quality of being self controlled and well behaved in complex situations. Good leaders have the ability to exercise discipline in their personal and social activities. Vision is a powerful source of discipline. Vision usually dictates the motivation of a leader. Any man desiring a political position or organisational high position must have a vision. Vision is a clear mental picture of a preferred future. It is the ability to see things how they could be. In order for a leader to be effective, he or she must have a vision for people in society. You cannot just get into Parliament without a vision for community development. Leadership is not just about position, power or money; it’s actually about giving life to communities and nations. The world is in need of self disciplined leaders. Self discipline is a learned skill. Discipline is the ability to focus on what is important for human and community development without being distracted by personal interests or unnecessary activities.

Discipline helps the leader to stay on course in the context of vision, dreams and goals. Discipline is also defined as self imposed standards for the sake of achieving higher goals. Discipline can only be exercised when there are clear values, standards, principles, laws and priorities. The principle of discipline demands that we put value on certain things, people or activities, and refuse to make excuses for any bad habits in our lives. Self discipline comes as a result of divorcing certain destructive habits and replacing them with productive habits. Leaders must cultivate positive thinking habits or patterns. A leader must not think failure. For a leader failure is a learning moment, not a full stop. Every leader must learn the art of mastering or disciplining their thoughts. Negative thought patterns are detrimental to a leader achieving his or her goals. It takes quite some time for one to discipline his or her thought patterns, but it is possible.

It is also imperative for leaders to master their time, because vision and goals are achieved and implemented in time. Discipline in the area of time is important. When goals and deadlines are set, it will take discipline to meet those deadlines. As leaders we must be disciplined enough to move away from people or activities that do not move us towards fulfilling our goals or vision. Leaders must also be disciplined enough to focus on what is important at certain times and seasons. Focusing on strategy and execution is key to effective leadership. Focus means the central point of something or a point of concentration. It is actually the concentration of attention, resources or energy on something. Focus requires discipline and self control because it could be easily taken away by other emerging things or activities. Therefore, leaders must train themselves to remain focused on what is important in terms of moving communities, organisations and the nation forward. There is need for focused leadership.

Leaders who won’t be easily moved from key aspects of development in communities and the nation at large. Self discipline is that quality that helps one keep the momentum in productive activities. As a matter of fact self discipline is one of the forces that help unleash one’s full potential. Self discipline empowers us to live our lives the way we ideally want to, and to maximize our gifts, talents and opportunities. It is therefore critical for leaders to cultivate the art of self discipline. Discipline starts at the point of decision. First you must decide to divorce the belief that says you must always do what you love. Discipline demands that you sometimes do things you do not love or like. Secondly, define a goal or vision worth fighting for. A goal that will kick you out of your comfort zone. Thirdly, create a daily routine that will lead you to achieving your goals. In other words, do something every day that is in line with your vision, and make sure you remove things that may tempt you or distract you from your goal or vision.

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