Gurpreet Singh, Youth Partnership Lead

23-Jul-18 12:00

Self-control is essential to leadership, yet it is a topic hardly ever discussed. The word self-control itself seems to suggest that there is a need for self-restraint, and therefore, implies that we need to be, to some degree, subdued. But why? Aren’t we all just fine the way we are? Is there really something wrong with us, that we need to be curbed? Don’t we all have it together? In an age of modernity that seeks freedom as the ultimate expression of life, directing our thoughts to, and recognising our intrinsic need for self-control can be disconcerting, uncomfortable, and countercultural, yet, that effective leadership recognises and embraces the need for self-control is beyond contention. It is on the periphery of discomfort, in the tension of the two perspectives, that comfort is found. Today we will explore a leader’s need for self-control and five ways through which we can cultivate it.

Produced by: Freda Liu