# Chapter 108

Encourage the heart - from The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

When people give their efforts toward making themselves succeed, cheer louder than anyone else in their life! They are taking all the risks, spending their money on you, and investing their time talent and energy. Cheer louder than anyone else! Celebrate their victories and failures alike!

I have limited talent, intellect and resources. But I am a great cheerleader! And there is still room for plenty of improvement! This is what I want to be known for when I am dead and gone, someone who was a great cheerleader.

Most high potential leaders feel guilty when they focus energy and resources on themselves. There are simply so many other needs in the world. There is so much competition for time and energy and resources. I get that, but if a leader can see the importance of improving themselves, that it is far more leverage to do far more good in the world, this you want to cheerlead loudly! This kind of leader is the smartest of the smart.

When a person takes risks that leverage themselves and the world for the greater good, these kinds of actions need the fuel of your encouragement. They put themselves in uncertainty and the danger of failing in order to achieve something greater, than if they just played it quiet and safe. Stand up and cheer!

When they invest their own resources in developing themselves, you need to applaud! You need to throw gasoline on this fire and help it blaze brightly! These people are using their time and talents and energy to pursuit a better situation and world for everyone or at least someone. You want to be the person they can most depend on in such times.