I had many different role models throughout my childhood from my parents, to sports superstars, to personalities. One interesting thing, is that during my lifetime, I don't think I've seen a good leader, as the leader of our country. When we learn about the Presidents of the US, we learn how great leaders Washington and Lincoln were, but really, I never thought they were that great of leaders. They both had tremendous accomplishments, and are a huge part of the history of the world, but to say they were the best leaders that the USA has ever had, I think is overkill. As far as politics goes, my role model has always been, and will always be FDR. I took a shining to him when we first began to learn about the 1920's to 1950's in seventh grade. Why? Simple. FDR took over a country at an extremely tough time in our country, and made us better. Was it he, himself who made us better? No, he had a team, and he had the people following him, he just lead the country. He was a responsible leader because he did what was necessary, including leading by example (something I think is super important). FDR did not want to be filmed in his wheel chair because he felt it made him appear weak, and as the representative of the USA, made the US look weak. He fought through all of the pain, of standing at podiums for an extended time, and made sure he was walking when he made appearances, to lead the country by showing his strength. I'm sure the people didn't know at the time, but we do now, that he was in bad shape, yet still was the most effective president the USA has ever known.
On the reverse end of the spectrum, there was another leader around that time who used leadership, and his charisma, to manipulate people. One of the most evil humans ever to walk the earth, Adolf Hitler, was a tremendous leader, but was not a responsible leader. I mean...he convinced Germans that the Jewish people were evil and the reason for no jobs for Germans. He displayed all of the qualities of a good leader, passion, vocal, led by example (until his death), and ruled for the people (except he did manipulate many people) but just had a terrible, disgusting message.
Politics aren't necessarily my thing though, but being born in the Northeast, I was fortunate enough to be blessed by being a fan and participant of the best sport in the world. No other sport can touch the leadership qualities that hockey players have, and when you play hockey, you really learn quickly how to be a leader, and who can be a leader. From a very young age, I was a Captain of Assistant Captain of many of the teams I played on.
I've always thought great leaders have many qualities. I don't think you could list every quality, because each leader is a little different, but they all follow a few basic rules (in my opinion).
1. Lead by example
-A good leader shows the people what they should do, or how they should perform. Practice what you preach basically.
2. Vocals
-A good leader needs to be vocal. That doesn't mean be mean, or degrading, or appear like a know it all, but a good leader can speak his/her mind
3. Timing
-A good leader knows when to be vocal, and when to step back. Usually when s/he steps back, thats when leading by example pays off, because other people step up and practice what the leader has been preaching, either by actions or vocals.
4. Rule for the People
-A good leader wants to please the people, and give the people responsibility, or a stake in the big picture
5. Perform at a high level
-The only way people will believe you, is if you perform at a high level. A good leader should want the extra responsibility, the weight on the shoulders, and perform at a high level.
6. When the "Game" is on the line, Give me the Ball
-When everything is on the line, the leader wants the ball.
In 22 years, I think I've got a pretty good idea of what it means to be a good leader, and in 22 years I think I've displayed those qualities in schoolwork, job, and sports.
No comments:
Post a Comment