A Great Leader, Part 1

Everyone is a leader in some capacity. Everyone has someone that follows them. And everyone has to follow someone. Some lead a family, some lead a small group, some lead a work group, some lead an organization, some lead a sports team, some lead a church, some lead a classroom, some lead a nation...

 

The topic of leadership has always interested me. What are the qualities of a great leader? What kind of leader do I want to follow? What kind of leader do I want to be?

I have found some common themes that create what I believe to be great leaders. I don't want to be good enough; I want to great.

A great leader sets a positive tone.

It's pretty self explanatory, but it is not common sense. The attitude in any institution starts at the top and trickles down.

• Front-line workers reflect the attitude of supervisors who reflect the attitudes of directors who reflect the attitudes of top decision makers in a company.
• Children reflect the attitude of their mother who reflects the attitude of their father in a family.
• Students reflect the attitude of their teacher who reflect the attitude of their principal who reflect the attitude of the district's superintendent in a school system.
• A Christian reflects the attitude of the Sunday School teacher who reflects the attitude of the deacons and ministers who reflect the attitude of the pastor in a church.

I think you get my point. It starts at the top. So if a leader wants an atmosphere of positive support and teamwork, he/she needs to lift up their followers and believe in their abilities to contribute to the wanted outcomes.

 

One of my favorite movies 'Remember the Titans' has a great scene about how the attitude of the leader is reflected in those around him/her.

 

"Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to remind people that you are, you aren't."

~ Margaret Thatcher



To be continued...