I believe one of the most important traits of an effective revolutionary leader is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is simply the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. It’s amazing, in this hyper-social and “connected” world, how few people actually exhibit emotional intelligence. And if one lacks emotional intelligence, how can one understand the necessity of leading in a nurturing manner? A leader understands the necessity of leaving one’s egos aside so that they can best advocate for the needs of the people they are representing.
Many leaders who believe themselves to be very ethical lack a sense of compassion. They’ve intellectualized feelings into abstractions and lost the capacity to react at an emotional, caring level. But we know what the consequences are when the government shows the people how little they care about our needs: protests, demonstrations, folks feeling the need to start an uprising: a forth and final revolution.
Yes I said it. I truly believe that the problems we face today in this country are at a point of crisis where they must be addressed through a ‘fourth revolution’ because at this point, everything likely will get worse before it gets better again, and there is no getting better if we don’t start making things better.
Now, I understand that many people fear the word Revolution, and many still don’t really comprehend what it means to be a revolutionary. It scares many folks, particularly because we lack true revolutionary leaders at this time.The government has done everything to ensure we are ill prepared for this struggle. For years this country has provoked its people, killing off our revolutionary leaders, creating a divide between people of color, fostering a generation who is uneducated and dull of mind. And now America is reaping what it sowed.
What we need is a True Revolutionary Leader who embodies the courage, the faith, the determination of what it means, to Truly Be Human. One who can authentically speak for the people and sum up the experience of their struggles in this country. One who appreciates how vital it is to learn from mistakes, and has the capability to use lessons learned to refine the tactics and strategies that will best address the needs of the people.
We each have the potential to be revolutionary leaders, for ourselves, for our families, and for our people. We must regain our sense of community because one can not lead if there is no one to follow. Like minded people must come together and team up under a common cause. We will find that our collective efforts compliment one another perfectly. Leading to instant manifestation of ideas and the realization of dreams. Knowing and acting upon the notion, that when we work together, we can achieve unbelievable things. Like making this country what we all desperately need it to be.
Dawn M. Edwards 