In my association with leadership guru, Orrin Woodward, I've found that it's courage not the title, that separates the genuine leaders from the posers. It takes courage to be the individual the call to leadership demands. Your asked to stand out from the crowd, because when we seek to be like the next person, we lose autonomy. It's not easily done to stand tall before your critics and choose the path less taken, then encourage others to follow. But then if you take your cues from life's owners manual, this is described exactly in Matthew 7:13
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
So in leadership, you may not find short term popularity most seek, but then popularity is fleeting. It's far more rewarding to be trusted, than to be admired, but as you introduce people to your values, integrity, ethics, vision, commitment, generosity, self confidence, and your character, reinforced by your deeds, popularity finds you. Nothing defines the leaders stock as how we meet a challenge, do the right thing with an ethical flair, when, truth be told, the act will cost us more than we want to pay.
Leaders are the captains of the vessel named "Character." It's essential a leader understands that ship be navigated on a course of trust and integrity. They will be remembered and foster an attitude within their following, by truthful disclosure, and the promises they keep. Integrity is central to all else virtuous!
With that in mind, crawl out on the leadership limb, after all isn't that where the fruit grows? While following one's moral compass isn't for the faint of heart, leaders worthy of the title understand they achieved that moniker for exhibiting the courage to put their values on display.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
So in leadership, you may not find short term popularity most seek, but then popularity is fleeting. It's far more rewarding to be trusted, than to be admired, but as you introduce people to your values, integrity, ethics, vision, commitment, generosity, self confidence, and your character, reinforced by your deeds, popularity finds you. Nothing defines the leaders stock as how we meet a challenge, do the right thing with an ethical flair, when, truth be told, the act will cost us more than we want to pay.
Leaders are the captains of the vessel named "Character." It's essential a leader understands that ship be navigated on a course of trust and integrity. They will be remembered and foster an attitude within their following, by truthful disclosure, and the promises they keep. Integrity is central to all else virtuous!
With that in mind, crawl out on the leadership limb, after all isn't that where the fruit grows? While following one's moral compass isn't for the faint of heart, leaders worthy of the title understand they achieved that moniker for exhibiting the courage to put their values on display.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
