As a leader of an organization, it is essential to be a beacon from which others can seek guidance and direction. The leader’s ability to be that beacon radiates out to others, depending on how grounded and centered that individual is on the things that matter.

The annals of history consistently reveal that all leaders operate, more often than not, from three key answers. It is the sum whole of all three answers, that affords a leader their direction, and allows them to stay grounded. This is what gives them a sense of centeredness, which others gravitate towards! They stay within three key areas, which provide them with the three answers. And when they have to step outside of these three key areas, they seek an individual who can answer the three key areas, and they remove themselves from second guessing that person. This act, along with self-control, is what makes them a LEADER … and is why people follow them.

I am reminded of these three key elements to leadership mettle, which determine one’s centeredness, by observing my friend and CEO of the Narrative Television Network, Mr. Jim Stovall. He frames the three elements this way: The Three Key Leader Answers are sources of how stable and solid one’s metal will be, are driven by asking these three questions:

1.What do I know? The answer will be driven, based upon one’s knowledge (technical and non-technical), education (formal and informal), personal experience (family, friends, community, social, health, spiritual, inspirational), professional experience (jobs, employers, colleagues, customers, projects, assignments, travel, etc.), observations, intuitiveness, etc.

2.How do I know this? What truths do I know to be so, and exactly what is it that tells me this? What did I personally do or witness that tells me this conclusively?

3.When did it dawn on me? At what time in my life did I come to this realization(s)? What are my stories or vignettes, or where was I when this became clear to me?

A leader’s inner mettle is derived from these three answers, and becomes an eternal source of passion within them. Their passion becomes a never-ending source of motivation, and from this presence, others look to for even greater leadership.

The three answers also serve to keep an individual grounded, by revealing what subjects, issues, and priorities a leader should focus on or not focus on. By answering these three (types) of questions, one evolves into grounded leadership positions. In essence, they define their IDENTITY (their “who am I really?"). They identify their PURPOSE (their “what / why factor") that they hold important, which evolves around their Identity).

Conversely, one becomes OFF-CENTERED, when one looses focus and strays out of that which they know and can answer and are left to having to fake it.

When you find yourself mentally wandering aimlessly, and lack the youthful spring of energy, chances are extremely good, that you have diverted yourself away from one of these three key answer areas, and are attempting to be all things to all people. Worse yet, you find yourself correcting and micro-managing others, who ARE capable of answering the three key leadership questions, in a specific area that you in fact can’t!

Centering yourself and staying grounded, starts by finding your inner mettle and holding onto it for sustained passion!

When we see men of worth, we should think of becoming like them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves. - Confucius