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Termyn8or -> Leadership ? (9/16/2008 8:08:14 PM)
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That word is neing bandied about these days like a helium filled ballon in Texas. It seems that some do not understand the meaning the way I do. This seems a bit off being at the site we are at and a few other things, but this is the way I see it.
There is much talk of McCain having leadership qualities, but ask those under him who heard his radio broadcasts as a POW in Korea. He is purported to be the only person to have gained weight as a POW. Does that make him not a leader ? NO. There is nothing in those embarrassing facts that preclude him from having leadership qualities. There is also nothing in Obama's "profile" so to speak that precludes the same for him either.
However the concept of leadership I believe is quite distorted. I believe that many have lost sight of what it really means. Some think leadership is the ability to command, and/or incite people to action. To speak out and rally the people together in a common cause. While these may be signs of leadership, they do not indicate leadership itself.
I have at times been a leader, not of a country or anything like that, but I have taken control of situations which were out of control, and some decided to follow me. This was a limited engagement and I learned from it. You may be expected to lead, if you are a Parent, teacher, marine sergent or CEO of a corporation. You may learn some skill in the field, but even if you are successful that does not prove you to be a leader, let alone a good one.
The thing that most people do not understand is that a true leader is actually a servant. To be a true leader one must set aside any personal agedae and make decisions solely based on what is best for the followers. A true leader puts followers well being ahead of his own well being. A true leader does not need bodyguards, because he is followed willingly by people who have confidence in his abilities as well as loyalty. It takes both.
I have not seen much in the way of examples of this in my lifetime. Even our beloved Ron Paul, would he shut up about abortion because he knows that outlawing it would be bad for the country ? Will legislators and judges set aside their religious beliefs and give the go ahead to Gay marriage ? Will the people lose their false morality and allow and condone the execution of hardened criminals ?
No, they won't. A true leader would. A true leader also realizes that he can't please everyone, but unlike Arlo Guthrie sang, he must avoid pleasing himself. He must consistently do what is right for whom he leads. They trust him and he should never violate that trust. If his selection was not unamamous, he must realize that he must lead all the followers, not just those who supported him.
In some cultures of the past, the leader was selected because of superior physical strength and skill in battle. In other cultures the leaders were the oldest ones there. Neither method worked very well, but I have doubts as to whether our current election sham is any better.
Does anyone understand what I am trying to say ?
T
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