The Leadership Blog by Ann Vanino

The third stage of The Hero’s Journey is Refusal of the Call. In this stage, the hero says no to the adventure. There can be any number of reasons – fear, complacency, not knowing how to answer. This refusal is a clarifying stage. By saying no and then later, hopefully saying yes, the hero understands the commitment he or she is making. The Hero’s Journey is not for the feint of heart. Setting off on this journey requires courage. Our youth have many aspects of their lives that may dissuade them from walking their own hero’s journey. Their mentors and allies can help them to see both the opportunities and perils of their journey and to develop want they need to set forth.

I wish our world more heartily embraced servant leadership. Wikipedia offers some great information on servant leadership including examples going back to 600 B.C. Here’s their definition of servant leadership:

Unlike leadership approaches with a top-down hierarchical style, Servant Leadership instead emphasizes collaboration, trust, empathy, and the ethical use of power. At heart, the individual is a servant first, making the conscious decision to lead in order to better serve others, not to increase their own power. The objective is to enhance the growth of individuals in the organization and increase teamwork and personal involvement.

Let’s spread the word about servant leadership to youth. It will help them and improve the world.

When I write about youth, I always come back to the Hero’s Journey. Yesterday on Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now, I heard an interview with the actress Anna Deveare Smith. She has written a book titled Letters to a Young Artist: Straight-up Advice on Making a Life in the Arts-For Actors, Performers, Writers, and Artists of Every Kind.

She made some great points about the unique journey of the artist and maintaining your authenticity. Her advice is not only for artists. As you develop as a leader, your unique voice and authenticity are key ingredients of your leadership abilities. You have to be ready at times, to go against the wishes of society, so develop your courage and strength to believe in yourself.

All youth deserve Roadtrip Nation!
Here’s their story :

It all started with four friends and one dilemma: “what do I
want to do with my life?” Fresh out of college and unsure about
the career paths in front of them, they were determined to
expose themselves to more than just the traditional life roads.
They hopped in an old RV, painted it green, and hit the road to
talk with inspiring people from all walks of life to find out
how they came to do what they love for a living.

Today, Roadtrip Nation has evolved into a PBS series, three
books, an online community, and a student movement. We send
people on the road who are interested in exploring the world
outside their comfort zone, talking with individuals who chose
to define their own road in life, and sharing their experiences
with our generation.

What’s better than that? Much of the unhappiness in the world
today is caused by people living other people‚s dreams, instead
of their own. Let‚s take a leap and provide the next generation
with Roadtrip Nation’s kind of exploratory space. That is a
legacy we could be proud of!

As I continue to look at the stages of the Hero’s Journey, the second stage is The Call to Adventure. That is what we should create for youth — a positive challenge, a chance to find out who they are and what they want to do, a means to engage them in life and inspire them to their individual greatness. We all deserve a fulfilling life. So many adults today live unfulfilled lives. Let’s take a giant leap with youth and give them the opportunity to walk the Hero’s Journey. Let’s call them to adventure. I imagine an exploration space, a walk where they have never gone, supported by mentors and allies along the way. How rich it could be!