Self Help
Do not stop by merely discussing the subject once; keep it up every
time you have a convenient opportunity. Approach the subject from a
different angle each time. If you go at this experiment in a tactful and
forceful manner you will soon observe a change in the person on
whom you are trying the experiment.
And, you will observe something else of more importance still: You
will observe a change in yourself!
Do not fail to try this experiment.
You cannot talk initiative to others without developing a desire to
practice it yourself.
Through the operation of the principle of Autosuggestion every statement that you make to others leaves its imprint on your own subconscious mind, and this holds good whether your statements are false or true. You have often heard the saying: "He who lives by the sword will die by the sword."
Properly interpreted, this simply means that we are constantly attracting to ourselves and weaving into our own characters and personalities those qualities, which our influence is helping to create in others. If we help others develop the habit of initiative, we, in turn, develop this same habit.
If we sow the seeds of hatred and envy and discouragement in others, we, in turn, develop these qualities in ourselves. This principle through which a man comes to resemble in his own nature those whom he most admires is fully brought out in Hawthorne's story, The Great Stone Face, a story that every parent should have his offspring read. We come, now, to the next step in our description of the exact procedure that you must follow in developing initiative and leadership.
Third: Before we go further let it be understood what is meant by the
term "Leadership," as it is used in connection with this Reading
Course on the Law of Success.
There are two brands of leadership, and one of them is as deadly and
destructive as the other is helpful and constructive. The deadly
brand, which leads not to success, but to absolute failure, is the
brand adopted by pseudo-leaders who force their leadership on
unwilling followers.
It will not be necessary here to describe this brand or to point out the fields of endeavor in which it is practiced, with the exception of the field of war, and in this field we will mention but one notable example, that of Napoleon. Napoleon was a leader; there can be no doubt about this, but he led his followers and himself to destruction. The details are recorded in the history of France and the French people, where you may study them if you choose.