Leadership
By Frank Jordan
What is Leadership?
Quality leadership is the one
ingredient critical to the success of any organization; whether government,
business, social, church or family. The present challenges to our way of
life in America for successful resolution demand excellence in leadership
from the presidency through our local city councils, businesses, families
and, perhaps most important, our personal lives.
But what is leadership? In two
words, leadership is inspiring influence. Some lead with dynamic leadership
while others are hands-on. Some are quiet while others are eloquent
speakers and cheerleaders. The common trait of great leaders is they get
the job done and get along with people. A leader is hopeful and instills
hope in those that are led, having earned respect.
As a people we do not prefer elitist
who look down on us or talk down to us, but prefer those who have been
subjected to the intense heat of life’s demands while forging the toughness
and strength for successful leadership. Time and actions raise the curtain
on those in the position of leadership to show the true nature and intent of
the individual leader. We are now in a transition of learning “change” is a
verb and we should explore the “from” and the “to” before just seeking
action without fully understanding objectives.
Those who best understand survival
in this difficult world are those who have been in the valley’s and peaks of
life and come through victorious. They understand the problems and
frustrations of those being led and, while often scarred by life’s wars in
raising a family, making a living and staying healthy, they are optimistic
rather than bitter and determined to make their world a better place to live
ranging from their family to the planet!
Leaders are often defined
by what a leader is not:
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A leader is not pessimistic; but rather hopeful in
meeting the challenges, no matter how dismal the chances for success may
appear, and instills hope in those led.
-
A leader does not sit on the fence to try to please
everyone or use false flattery. Trying to please people for the sake of
personal success, power for personal gain or getting elected to a power
position is a form of leadership that will ultimately fail.
-
A leader does not exhibit greed, including accumulating
money as a primary goal; the love of power, things, fame and/or pleasure;
but has a first priority the welfare of those led.
-
A leader is not authoritarian, aloof and power driven
for self gain and aggrandizement, but a humble servant-leader who delivers
truth and strength learning from the wisdom of others, the lessons of
history and a living faith.
-
A true leader does not lie, manipulate or deceive those
led.
Leaders are also determined
by positive traits.
-
Leaders
have authenticity and are not hypocritical. Be real and approachable and
let your life reflect your words. As an old bit of wisdom says, “Walk the
walk; not just talk the talk.” Character and truth are essential
ingredients of respect, with people in the long term seldom impressed by
hollow rhetoric; no matter how eloquently delivered. Actions do have
consequences.
-
Leaders
give enthusiastic affirmation to promote our strengths to keep striving in
spite of obstacles in our path to success. “We can do it!” is not a
slogan but a way of life! Perseverance and tenacity succeed where
intellect and intensions often fail.
-
Leaders
are sensitive to the needs of others with affection for all. Selfishness
must be set aside with sensitivity to the needs of others essential.
Don’t judge by looking at the cover and set aside prejudice to seek and
develop the best from us all.
-
A leader
must be just and equitable in his or her actions with wisdom. The Bible
in Proverbs 2 tells us wisdom comes from seeking knowledge and
understanding and from these evolve the ability to deliver justice and
equity to those led.
An excellent summary of outstanding
leadership characteristics is found in the Rotary International Club’s “Four
Way Test” written by Herbert J. Taylor in 1932. In all that we say or do,
consider the following:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better
friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all
concerned?
Put simply, aspire to inspire before you
expire. Frankly speaking, no
one is perfect and we all fall short of the ideals that guide us, but we
must continue each moment of each day to strive toward those objectives and
to be more like the one perfect man who ever lived who did in not just “talk
the talk, but in fact did “walk the walk” as the perfect leader.
