Thoughts on Leadership- Part 1

Over the years, I have read many books on Leadership.  Over the next few days, I will post some notes I have compiled from these readings.  John F. Kennedy once said, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."  Simply, when you stop learning, you stop growing.

1.      No leader is exempt from criticism, and his humility will nowhere be seen more clearly than in the manner in which he accepts and reacts to it.

2.      Anyone who steps into the arena of leadership must be prepared to pay a price.  True leadership exacts a heavy toll on the whole person and the more effective the leadership, the higher the price!  The leader must soon face the fact that he will be the target of critical darts.  Unpleasant though it may sound, you haven’t really led until you have become familiar with the stinging barbs of the critic.  Good leaders must have the thick skin.

3.      Every leader must develop the ability to measure the value or worth of criticism.  He has to determine the source and the motive, and he has to listen with discernment.  Sometimes the best course of action is to respond to criticism and learn from it.  Other times, he must be completely ignored.

4.      It is impossible to lead anyone without facing opposition.

5.      It is essential to face opposition in prayer.

6.      Few people can live in the lap of luxury and maintain their spiritual, emotional, and moral equilibrium.  Sudden elevation often disturbs balance, which leads to pride and a sense of self-sufficiency and then, a fall.  It’s ironic, but more of us can hang tough through a demotion than through a promotion.

7.      The man who is impatient with weakness will be defective in his leadership.  The evidence of our strength lies not in streaking ahead but in a willingness to adapt our stride to the slower pace of our weaker brethren, while not forfeiting our lead.  If we run too far ahead, we lose our power to influence.

8.      No matter how strong a leader you are, you will experience times when the cutting remarks really hurt.

9.      You must be determined to apply massive common sense in solving complex problems.

10.     You must be willing to accept the simple fact that you have flaws and will need to work every day to become a better leader than you were yesterday.