I remember, even today, reading about a Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville, who toured early America and wrote both critically and complimentary about his experiences. About political leadership he stated: Democratically elected people’s assemblies historically have been known for their mediocrity, and the U.S. has been no different. In 1835 he observed, “I was surprised to find so much distinguished talent among the citizens and so little among the heads of the government. It is a constant fact that at the present day the ablest men in the United States are rarely placed at the head of affairs,” a condition that worsens with the more democratic the government becomes. The very same observation could be made today, at least for the most part, as the majority of our congressmen and ladies seem to take more than they give. Leadership is too often sought after by those who seek and need recognition and not by those well prepared to lead. The following description and beliefs about leadership are generalized and might well include political as well. Every organization regardless of its size, importance, or value/worth must have a person or persons who lead. People who have been called and who have accepted the responsible for the success of the organization, who also accept the responsibility of the personnel, the physical plant(s) and the finances. The size of the organization will ordinarily determine how many administrative personnel there are. The very top administrative officer is usually designated the President, the CEO or Chief Executive Officer. In the church there would be a few different administrative designations. There are many administrative formats, some are much more economical and efficient than are others. Successful Presidents or CEOs are those who:
- Believe very strongly in having a clear and compelling vision of the organization’s purpose. That purpose should be clearly laid out for all of the employees/volunteers to see, study and to buy into. The organizational vision should be both physically and spiritually motivating. Those staff who both feel and see the goal/purpose are most likely to be motivated in the process of fulfilling its goals. They say that one of the most important contributions ever made to success came from football when someone invented the huddle. With the huddle we get our heads together to solve a problem and make assignments.
- The leader should be able to see the finale outcome, from different angles. That requires both a spiritual and a physical involvement in the business.
- The leader should be willing to break new trails and prepare the organization for opportunities heretofore not attempted. The leader must be able to change directions if necessary to reach the desired end. A strait line to the end goal may not always be possible. If you want to hatch out something you have to set your mind to it. Sterling Sill told the story of the Book of Mormon’s greatest war. Coriantumr and Shiz fought to the point where Shiz fell unconscious to the ground. After Coriantumr rested on his sword for a while he cut Shiz’s head off. After that Shiz raised up on his hands and then fell. A doubter said, “That proves the Book of Mormon is false because nobody could raise up after his head is cut off.” Brother Sill said that is true unless he made his mind up first. I love a little humor here and there.
- The leader must have power to override and to make a final decision when such a circumstance presents itself. They have to be problem solvers. Mark Twain was a problem solver. He was criticized one time for his poor spelling and he remarked, “I feel sorry for people who know only one way to spell a word.”
- A leader must be able to delegate assignments (set apart) and form/organize coalitions to meet unexpected problems in reaching those goals.
- Visionary management needs spirit and determination to find success in a world designed with rules, laws and many types of roadblocks and opposition.
Visionary leaders are best suited to hold organizations together and to move them forward faster than are those with little vision. All of the above is good and important but I personally believe that the greatest leaders are also humble. Humility is traceableness, one who is humble realizes that others too have virtues, strengths and ideas; they are not all concentrated in the leader. Humility is gracious, kindly, gentle, never struts or swaggers. Humility is not pretentious, presumptuous, and proud but neither is it weak. Can one person be all of those things? Probably not, but if they are the right person, at the right time, all will be well. There is a strong likelihood that given the right circumstance, we may be able to mold ourselves into something better than we are.
The youth are the people who are going to carry on from where we left off. They are going to sit where we are sitting, and when we are gone, they will attend to those things which we thought were important. We may adopt all the policies that we please but how they will be carried out may depend on the young person coming up behind us. He will assume control of our cities, states, and nation. He is going to move in and take over our churches, schools, universities and corporations. All our books are going to be judged, praised or condemned by him. The fate of humanity is in his hands. So it might be well to pay him some attention.