A View of Leadership

I am brought to these thoughts in light of this week's elections and the resulting hopes - or fears - given life and voice.  I have no comment on the poll results nor any "political" views to express here.  I think a better place and time for that is in my living-room on a Sunday afternoon in company with those who agree with me. (grin)

The role of leadership in this ensemble cast of humanity is largely misunderstood.  Leadership is simply one task among many on a team who are attempting to accomplish a goal or goals.  One cannot lead if the rest of the team are idly grazing or dozing under a tree in the meadow - motionless.  We, the Team, cannot in good logic, foist off OUR responsibilities onto the Leader of the group.

Employment specs for a leader are:

• The ability to constantly remind the team of their common goal(s).
• The fortitude to set the pace of forward movement.
• The patience to encourage the tired stragglers.
• The humility to recognize each team member's forte and utilize it with gratitude.
• The heart to understand and have pity on those who give up.
• The serenity to calmly make peace and bring consensus in face of discord.
• The insight to recognize each team member's importance.
• The personal discipline to refrain from doing any team member's job for him, thereby discrediting his importance.
• The mentor-ship to teach by allowing a team member to fail in his role.

I may be missing a few particulars here.  But, I mean to say that we too often rely too much upon Leaders to define our work on the Team and the potential outcomes - our elected politicos, our judges, our teachers, our bosses, our loves.  We need to hold on to the truth that we are all equally as vital in our particular assignments as Leaders are.  We must faithfully fulfill our stewardship individually and in groups.

Let us give our Leaders a vibrant, energetic, committed people to lead!