Simply put, it is because these v/bloggers are Great Deaf Leaders.

Photo by: lumaxart

These leaders have creative minds, confidence in their abilities, and have an optimistic outlook on life. They all approach their challenges believing that a brilliant solution can and will be found or a breakthrough discovery will be made. They believe things can be done to raise the bar in the Deaf Community. And, they believe we, the Deaf Community as a whole, are the ones who have the power to do it. Their faith in us as individuals and as a collective community is truly inspiring as they urge and encourage us to move forward!

2. Persistence. They never give up.

Obstacles do not crush these leaders. Instead, each obstacle increases their strong resolve. They set their sights high and they have a vision of where they want to go and lead others. Their persistent personalities can move mountains. They know that progress takes persistence and stamina. If a concept they are trying to teach fails to get off the ground, they don’t give up. Rather, they look at how they can enlighten others by presenting these ideas in ways that the community might better understand. Once an idea has taken hold in the Deaf Community, they immediately begin working on the next concept.

3. Imagination. They see all of the possibilities.

Many of the great minds throughout history refer to the power of imagination with great reverence and respect. For the creative genius, the imagination is a mental gymnasium where they can work out their ideas. Most people were able to witness the creative genius of Amy’s Greatest Irony video last year. We can only imagine the forethought that went into birthing that great video. And just look at Joey’s recent post, where he suggested 3 areas of focus for the year ahead that would drive his own vlogs. It has in fact, driven this very blog post! How is that for the power of suggestion?! This is an example of the ever-changing set of mental blue prints and emerging concepts these Deaf Leaders have. Imagination is the talent that allows these Deaf Leaders and those who follow them to see their ideas before they are realized.

4. Passion. They love what they do.

There is no creative genius or great leadership without passion. Passion is the driving force that keeps these Deaf Leaders and creators moving forward through failure and adversity. It’s probably what keeps them awake at night. Their undeniable passion for and commitment to the Deaf Community is an irresistible force which attracts people to follow and support their creative efforts. It’s an essential trait of the Greats and it is also one of the sources of their often abundant supplies of energy.

5. Focus. They choose a target and get lost in their work.

A Great Leader is always in high demand. Take Ella Mae Lentz, for example. Her personal and professional contribution, advocacy and stewardship of the language and culture of Deaf people in our world today has been profound. Yet, even after her retirement, Ella Mae continues to change the face of the Deaf World today with her contributions and discourse on empowering concepts, such as those ideas involved in the term Deafhood. And, she’s not alone. Deaf Leaders such as David Eberwein, Genie Gertz and many others also share such contemplative devotion. It’s an enviable gift. Focus and endurance are clearly the cornerstones of their creative genius and leadership.

6. Curiosity and Learning. They want to know more.

Deaf Leaders like Joey, David, Amy, Ella and Barbara Digiovanni (better known as Barb Digi) are researchers. They keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because they are curious, and their curiosity keeps leading them down new paths. These bright-minded, leading Deaf v/bloggers, and other like them, are the ones with the most curious minds. Their review of Deaf history and hunger for social justice and deeper knowledge is often insatiable as they continuously consume information related to their passions. These Deaf Leaders are always actively in the process of learning something new. We look forward to their v/blogs because we know they will hold something of true value to us all in the Deaf world. The Greats are lifelong learners, and their messages are true inspirations to us all.

7. Energy. They keep going and going and going…

Another trait that seems to connect the vast majority of successful Deaf Community Leaders is high energy. It’s rare to find a lethargic creative genius. (Think Robin Williams!) Great Deaf Leaders make GREAT v/blog posts because they harbor the “IT Factor.” They Rock! They are Bomb! They are Powerful! They are Champ! Consider well-loved, or quirky favorites like John Lestina (ABC), Jon Savage, Aidan Mack or Gary Brooks, for example. Or, how about some of the newer v/bloggers like Seek Geo or the Olson CODA Brothers who have taken DeafRead by storm!! They are an explosion of animation, joy and laughter in the Deaf v/blogosphere each time they add a new posting! Yet, somehow, they know how to harness the explosive power of their leading comedy and thoughts that leave us wanting more! They have an ability to aim all of their energy and high-powered brain cells toward a specific challenge at a specific time in the Deaf Community, and the result is simply amazing! Their v/blogs are creative, free flowing, original, well-timed, and often show great divergent thinking.

8. Courage. They reach beyond the boundaries of fear.

Those Deaf Leaders who are not necessarily funny, can still be witty and brave none-the-less. There are many Great Deaf Leaders out there who may or may not use ASL, wear hearing aids or Cochlear Implants, are late-deafened, deaf-blind, oral, mainstreamed or who may view themselves simply as d/Deaf/hard of hearing people capably living among, and thriving in, the larger hearing world. Among this diverse Deaf group, there can indeed be Great Leaders and Courageous Spirits among the greater Deaf Community! They often stick their necks out and occasionally put their reputations on the line in pursuit of their next great idea. We often see them challenging various, multi-dimensional aspects of being d/Deaf/hard of hearing in our world today, or raising conscious discourse up another notch among our largely diverse Deaf population. These courageous leaders are known for breaking the rules, ignoring conventional or cultural wisdom and forging into uncharted territory. The path of their leadership in the Deaf Community is often paved with insecurities, misunderstanding, rejection, ridicule, and in some cases, outright hostility. But these Leaders continue to risk their reputations by v/blogging with “out of the box” thinking. They take a “no guts, no glory” approach in their leadership, but Great Leaders (albeit, sometimes controversial) they still are.

9. Communication. They teach the value of their ideas.

Great Deaf Leaders know the most valuable tools of the v/blogging trade: Communication. They know that it does not matter how great your ideas are. If you can’t effectively communicate their value to the people, who will benefit? Therefore, these greats are becoming legendary because they so effectively communicate both the value (why) and the mechanics (how) of their ideas. The reason so many of us are drawn to Joey and Amy’s v/blogs for example, is because they both use the full power of their personal mystique as communicators, their v/blog environment, and technology to show people how certain ideas might make a difference and bring about change. Their vlog communication style is clear, crisp and clean. Ultimately, their main goal is to be understood.

10. Bias for Action. They don’t just think, they do.

Most of the Great Leaders throughout Deaf history have been people of action. Their advocacy in the Deaf Community is very prolific throughout their lifetime. Like well-known Deaf advocates, Joey Baer, Amy Choen Efron, Ella Mae Lentz and Barb Digi, most Great Deaf Leaders share a compulsion to create change. The leading v/bloggers don’t just sit by their computer thinking about v/blogging; they get out there and v/blog! Even when they don’t feel like v/blogging, sometimes they are compelled to! Action is not an option for the these Great Leaders in the Deaf community. It’s a MUST and a vital part of their everyday lives!