Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., probably the most prominent leader of the American civil rights movement, gave us two essential lessons to apply in leading change.

First, in 1963, while leading the March on Washington, Dr. King delivered his most famous speech – “I Have a Dream”.  It was a compelling vision of an America where all people were treated equally.

Second, Dr. King’s life exemplified an essential principle to apply in leading change:

“If you’re not making yourself uncomfortable, then you’re not making anyone else uncomfortable.  And if you’re not making anyone else uncomfortable, then you’re not changing anything, and you’re probably not leading anything, either”.

Dr. King put himself out there, and I’m sure it made him uncomfortable.  It also made a lot of other people uncomfortable, which caused them to rethink their beliefs and their actions. 

Ultimately, Dr. King’s perseverance and courage changed an entire nation.