Leader?

Wow, what a day. I had one of the most interesting days I have had in a while. As a graduate student of leadership, I often look for ways to measure leadership tangibly. My job is with a major non-profit company. I am blessed to part of such a great organization that has such a great mission. I see leadership at its best and at times at its worst. Today, I saw leadership at its best as a manager was willing to admit that he had misunderstood the situation a day earlier and took the necessary steps to learn from his situation and move forward without carrying any emotional baggage.

Then I hear of a so called community leader that is basically power out of control, lashing out for no reason. When I hear of such things, I want to address it immediately. My wife keeps me rooted but I fortunately have a great mentor who often also keeps me grounded. It is kind of like I am running as fast as I can toward the end of a pier, and he simply slows me down enough that when I get to end of the pier, I actually have the choice as to go in or not and am not simply moved by the momentum of the situation.

Leadership in general is about meekness, power under control as I have heard some define it. As a leader, simply try to live each day with an attitude of gratitude, and be as nice to people as you know how to be. Keep your cool, analyze the situation, and ask yourself, “Really, in the scope of things, is it worth my time attention.” Because our time and our attention are the most valuable commodities we have. Until next time…