I grew up in the sixties and seventies of the last century in The Netherlands. A very democratic and free country at the time as far as I know. So for me freedom is kind of natural. Next to that I slowly realized I am a person that needs a lot of freedom, that doesn’t like to be restricted in any way, that I don’t like authority. I guess the last goes back to my dad, who was very authoritarian, and my Christian upbringing, where I now consider the Christian god a very cruel and mean dictator. So no wonder I long(ed) for freedom.
In 2016 I started a dog training business according to the TV series Dog Whisperer that is based on the teaching of Cesar Millan. From that I learned that dogs are followers and that followers need a leader and I learned slowly from that that leadership comes with authority. And that leadership is taken. So I was back to authority, and I didn’t like it. But I know now it is necessary, at least in a dog pack. And I know dogs love and respect me more if I am the leader, take the leadership position. Or if the client takes the leadership position. As taking the leadership position, being the leader, being the authority, implies safety.
So yes, it is kind of a paradox, but I found ways to explain to myself that authority is good, that taking the leadership position is good, or at least can be good. Condition here is that it is supposed to be responsible leadership and not dictatorship. So I am teaching responsible leadership.
Going back to freedom my current belief is that freedom can probably only thrive under responsible leadership and not under dictatorship. And similar to leadership, freedom needs to be taken, if it is not there or if it has been taken away.