Where's my Motivation?

This last week as I "interacted" with different world leaders I don't know that there was one leader in particular that stood out to me other than my own, but I did realize some things about each of them.  Every leader there, whether it was Napoleon, Hitler, President Monson, or Suu Kyi, had something motivating them.  In order to be an effective leader we need to be motivated by something, and with that we will be able to motivate thsoe we lead.  I don't think that all the followers of Hitler were motivated by the things that motivated him, but since he was motivated people were drawn to following him.  It doesn't always matter what is motivating you, so much as that something is motivating you.

Now that being said, as I researched Suu Kyi I learned so much about good leadership; and I do think that good leadership comes from good motivations.  Hitler may have been a successful leader, but he wasn't a good leader.  Suu Kyi on the other hand was motivated by incredible things.  I think her fathers death was something that motivated her in a huge way.  He was killed because he fought for democracy in Burma and Suu Kyi followed her fathers example and continued the fight.  Despite all the hardships it brought upon her, the freedom of her country was most important to her and she would not give up.  I admire Suu Kyi so much for following her fathers example and I see that as an incredible motivation because it is the same kind of motivation that keeps me going.  Since my mom died when I was nine, I have since lived my life trying to follow the great example she left behind and that has been a powerful motivation throughout my life, as I think the death of Suu Kyi's father was for her.

Realizing that by finding motivation in my own life I can motivate others gives me the determination to stay on the course and be motivated.  If not for me, for those that I lead.  In my leadership position I can be an example by being excited about my calling, and by praising those I lead.  I can show that I am motivated by the love I have for the gospel and I believe as others see and feel of my motivation, they too can be motivated to do their best. And hopefully, even when my calling ends I can continue to motivate them by my example.