In the past few years, the topic of leadership has become a common buzz word, but why? Why do people, organizations, companies and families seem to crave leadership now more than any other time in history? Could it be that most people, like myself, never understood what true leadership means or, possibly, that the world is in desperate need of a different leadership role model?
As Ken Blanchard wrote in his book, Lead Like Jesus, the leadership model that people often experience is summarized by the popular opinion: "It's all about me". Pick up any daily newspaper, and you will quickly find examples of abandoned values, betrayed trust, exploitation, and manipulation committed by people of power and influence. Corporate leaders exploit privileges of position, bringing ruin to employees and investors. Church leaders experience crises of integrity, compromising their churches and breeding skepticism and disillusionment. Families and personal relationships drift away from mutual commitment and head towards battlegrounds of self-absorbed conflict over rights to individual fulfillment. I won't even venture into the arena of government and politics because the opportunities for criticism are too numerous and examples of positive role models too few to mention. Self-promotion (pride) and self-protection (fear) are the reigning motivations that dominate the leadership landscape. As a result, it appears that most people are languishing in hopelessness resulting from a leadership vacuum, but it doesn't have to remain that way.
Leadership is a process of influence. Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader. Effective leadership starts on the inside; it is a heart issue. It begins by taking responsibility for your motives and your own personal growth and development. As Charlie "Tremendous" Jones said, "where you will be in 5 years will be determined by the people with whom you associate and the books you read". In addition, true leadership requires learning how to serve others. Servant leadership is to be a living statement of who we are in Christ, how we treat one another, and how we demonstrate the love of Christ to the whole world. Bob Burg and John David Mann, co-authors of The Go-Giver, penned their five laws of stratospheric success and, contrary to common thought, each of the five laws centers around serving and giving:
1. The Law of Value - your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
2. The Law of Compensation - your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
3. The Law of Influence - your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interests first.
4. The Law of Authenticity - the most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.
5. The Law of Receptivity - the key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.
Leadership requires alot from a person. It is demanding and complex, and perhaps that is why there is so little evidence of it today. As John Maxwell says:
Leadership is the willingness to put oneself at risk.
Leadership is the passion to make a difference with others.
Leadership is being dissatisfied with the current reality.
Leadership is taking responsibility while others are making excuses.
Leadership is the ability to submerge your ego for the sake of what is best.
Leadership is evoking in others the capacity to dream.
Leadership is inspiring others with a vision of what they can contribute.
Leadership is the power of one harnessing the power of many.
Leadership is the integration of heart, head, and soul.
Leadership is, above all, courageous.
If these leadership thoughts quicken your pulse and stir your soul, as they do mine, then learning more about leadership will make a difference in you, and you will make a difference in the lives of others. Entrepreneurial Connections (http://www.ecreferral.com/) is a diverse group of Berks County business people devoted to growing and developing leaders and serving others. Come to our next meeting and let's get started.
