|
|
|
|
|
..... The opinions expressed in these articles and features are those of their author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of McANA or the opinion of its Directors or Officers. |
||
|
Leadership Recently, I was asked to come speak with a neighborhood organization about how to become more effective leaders. While the request was very flattering, I felt somewhat arrogant in accepting, But it did make me stop and realize that there are no magic answers to what others perceive as leadership - or at least if there are, that I certainly don’t have the encyclopedia where that knowledge resides. What a powerful difference that small word can make in the fate of a neighborhood. Leadership is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as: 1) the office or position of a leader; 2) capacity to lead; 3) the act or an instance of leading. It sounds pretty simple and straight forward. Yet leadership is a great deal more complicated and difficult to define. Some leaders emerge in an obvious capacity, such serving as the president or chancellor of a country. But most, the ones that make a difference on a one on one level, are a great deal harder to bring into the limelight. One of the most difficult aspects of being labeled a leader is the conflict that all too often exists between what needs to happen and how to get it done. To be an effective leader, you must have an absolute passion for what you do. But that passion must often be restrained to navigate through whatever systems and personalities govern the issues we take to heart. You have to base actions on fact and yet take so much on faith. You have to know when to press your advantage and when to step back. You have to learn when to step to the forefront and when to turn the reigns over to someone else. You have to move forward with confidence, knowing that mistakes are inevitable. You have to put out your best effort for others and expect nothing in return. You have to reconcile yourself to compromise while holding true to your principles. You have to admit when you are wrong and take responsibility for your actions, while striving to always be right. You have to know when to take off the gloves and when to put them back on. You have to know when to stand on ceremony and when to stand on the street corner. You have to know when to talk and when to listen, when to be hard and when to be soft. You have to know which battles to fight and which to leave behind, when to stay your course despite all odds and when to change your course. Sometimes, the path you have to take is clearly marked and sometimes you are the one clearing the path. There are times when you have to lead even when you don’t know where you are going. Some leaders emerge at birth, exploding with such a force that they automatically command the situation. Others mature over time, sometimes slipping into leadership without even being noticed. Some will lead in small ways, taking steps that seem insignificant, yet have a profound cumulative effect. Others lead the way in issues that always seem to make headlines. Some leaders consciously take the reigns and others find themselves in the lead by default. Some leaders have a great following, while others stand alone in their battle. Some leaders find immediate favor for their cause and others spend years reaching their goals. A leader has to be a scholar, philosopher, salesman and sage. But the most difficult thing a leader has to do is inspire others to lead. We can all be leaders in our own ways, large or small. Whether it is with our community, our family, our workplace, or our church. We have a choice every day about whether to lead or follow in our lives. Sometimes, we lead by taking a child’s hand and teaching them how to climb a set of stairs. Sometimes we lead by rallying thousands to a cause greater than any one of us can imagine on our own. Sometimes we become leaders by leaving behind a life of abuse, sometimes we become leaders by uniting a country. We lead by making sure that our homes are places of comfort and security and by setting an example of compassion and fairness in how we live our own lives. We lead by always expecting more of ourselves than we do of others. Leadership is not defined by how many awards you receive, or how many accomplishments you can list on your resume, or how much money you can raise, or whether you have the party endorsement. It is not defined by a gavel, or a name badge or the ability to drop names. Leadership is defined by a commitment to leave behind a legacy greater than ourselves. Cathy Burton l send comments to webmaster@mcanaindy.org |
|||
2003
