Kevin Bowser“A man who thinks he is leading, but has no one following him, is only taking a walk.”
That leadership quote has been attributed to antiquity as an ancient Chinese proverb. And it has been attributed in recent times to former pastor and current leadership expert, John Maxwell. And if we can take one thing from the varied attribution of this maxim it is that defining and exhibiting leadership has been a problem for a very long time.
True leadership is something that is sorely lacking in today’s culture just like it must have been to the ancient Chinese. However, it is not that we don’t have good people in elected or appointed positions of leadership. We do. I am just not sure that I see very much actual leadership being displayed by them. What I do see is a lot of “leaders” just walking about. The thing that many leaders are missing is followers. And if followers don’t define a leader, they at least do identify one.
And it is in this vein that I launch this new web enterprise on Leadership. It is my goal to take a look at leadership from as many angles as possible. Some of those views will be:
- What does leadership look like from a Biblical perspective?
- What does leadership look like from a secular perspective?
- What does leadership look like from a business perspective?
- What does leadership look like from a military perspective?
- What does leadership look like from a family perspective?
- What does it take to be a good or great leader?
- Who in history can be role models for leadership today?
- Who is demonstrating leadership today?
- Can anyone or everyone be a leader?
- What resources exist to make better leaders?
- How many followers do you have to have to be considered a leader?
Leadership has become a passion of mine in recent times. I am passionate about both being a leader and developing leaders around me. I believe that our society and today’s culture is devoid and desperate for real leaders. Maybe not on a grand scale. But we are longing for someone to inspire us to greatness. And to lead us to be more than we can be by ourselves.
Are you interested in being a leader? Will you join me in the journey of discovery of what it means to be a leader?
Join the conversation. I am not looking for a silly interchange. So I am requiring you to take the step of registering to join the discussion. Most of you who will be drawn to this topic are already active on other forums or outlets for expression and probably are accustomed to the process. So register below and leave a reply. Leave a comment. Be a part of the dialog. You just may inspire someone with what you say.
Hi Kevin! Perhaps it would also be helpful to discuss the history of leadership and especially the changes in the previous century. Because I do believe they have a lot to do with the situation we are in. From the killing fields of WW1 where the generals had no better ideas than to send their men into machine gun fire, to be killed by the millions, to the lethal yet initially democratic leadership of mr. Hitler in WW2 and the useless war in Vietnam, it isn’t really a surprise people got very weary of the leadership they were subjected to.
Myself, I was drafted in 1980 and even then, I litterally was told on the first day that here in the army, you don’t have to think, that’s what we will do for you. Well, this guy is quite determined to never let anyone think for him. And my impression is that I’m not the only one. So it seems to me that leadership in these days is facing an uphill battle that can only be won by great personal integrity and wisdom.
For starters!
Blessings,
Hans
It is great to hear from you, Hans! It has been a while since we talked via a forum. I am not surprised that the first comment or reply would have military or government undertones.
Thanks for being brave and posting the first comment! That is leadership! 😉
“a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support the others in the accomplishment of a common task”
This is the “definition” of leadership as provided by the all knowing, “Wikipedia”. I find this definition a little unsettling.
I have a military background and the men I followed in battle, “led from the front”, I followed them in the beginning because I was told too, and later because they earned my respect. I don’t believe I was “socially influenced” to join the military or follow these men.
I find myself laying awake at night thinking of better ways to lead my family, because to me, that is really where leadership is important in this day and age.
Now a days I think “Leaders” or “Sheepdogs” (I can provide additional info on the sheepdog reference if I need too) look scary to some people and they would just as soon follow anyone that spoke out or told them what to do, or told them what was best for them, then to really search themselves and decide on who the real leaders where.
I am not sure the blurb made any sense, but I felt compelled to share, you thought enough of me to include me, I wanted to make sure you knew how much you and your leadership have meant to me. I look forward to continuing this discussion, and appreciate your friendship.
In Him,
Billy Long
Billy,
Thanks for taking the time to visit and read my first attempts at examining this subject. And thanks for your very kind words.
I understand the “sheepdog” reference well and it resonates with me.
Over the years, I have served/worked under many leaders….some good, some not. I was reminded this week when I was discussing General George Washington with my kids in school that Washington was not really that brillant of a General. He just knew how to inspire people and then use those around him that knew what to do. To me, that is a good leader. Leaders do not have to know everything, be everything, and be followed unquestioningly. They are the ones who inspire you to do your best and then let you do it.