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Leadership Lessons from the Life of Helen Keller
1 No leader becomes great without being a committed follower of a great leader . To become great , Helen Keller had to submit to the leadership and tutorship of Anne Sullivan .
2 The leader who will be great must first be taught obedience and discipline . When Anne first arrived at the Keller home to work with Helen , she met a sweet but unruly child and understood that if she was going to teach Helen anything , she first had to teach Helen obedience and it paid off . Helen ’ s ability to submit to authority was without any doubt instrumental to her success .
3 No one can become great who resorts to or indulges in self-pity . Great leaders understand that those who become great are not those without problems but those who have refused to feel sorry for themselves and allow others to feel sorry for them amid their challenges . Helen Keller said , “ Self-pity is our worst enemy , and if we yield to it , we can never do anything wise in the world .” Stop feeling sorry for yourself and bring an end to the pity party now !
4 Everyone has problems , but great women know how to surmount theirs . Indeed , they ride on the wings of adversity to get to the high places in life .
5 Great people reach past their pain to help others in similar circumstances . While blind , Helen Keller reached out to be a voice to others who were blind . She was an advocate for those in the same situation as herself and raised funds to help them .
6 Great women are able to see the blessing in every adversity . Helen Keller once said , “ We could never learn to be brave and patient , if there were only joy in the world .” Great women understand that amongst other blessings , adversity refines them and makes them better .
7 Great women know how to make the best of even the worst situations . Helen Keller said , “ Everything has its wonders , even darkness , and silence , and I learn , whatever state I may be in , therein to be content .” She was , without a doubt , a woman who had trained herself to get the best out of the worst circumstances .
8 Great women are an inspiration to others . Their journey sends across a simple message , one that says , if I can so can you . Others hear their story and receive hope to rise above their challenges no matter what they may be .
9 Great women live a life of optimism . No matter what life throws at them , they maintain an attitude of optimism , and that helps them always to see a way out of their circumstances . We know Helen Keller was a very optimistic person for she said , “ Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement . Nothing can be done without hope and confidence .” She also said , “ Never bend your head . Always hold it high . Look the world straight in the eye .” It takes an optimistic person to look the world straight in the eye .
10 Great women do not allow others to tell them what they can ’ t do . They are confident and do not seek validation from others . Had Helen Keller listened to the dean at Radcliffe she would never have gained admission into the prestigious institution . Everyone has an opinion , and God knows they are entitled to it but don ’ t let it stop you from pursuing your dreams .
14 DOZ Magazine August 2018