The Center Post of Leadership

As with any tent, there has to be a certain manner in which the tent is supported. If we view Leadership as a tent, the center pole in that tent, that holds all of the canvas up is character. When one takes the opportunity to think about this, it isn't really that far off of a statement because character is the one thing that makes everything work. We cannot be expected to lead and be viewed as great leaders unless we have character. 

To me the need of character is essential because all credibility and the ability that we have to influence others depends on that attribute. Character defines every other attribute that we seek in life, because any other attribute obtained without character is hollow and self deception. If we really want to become a leader we have to seek the to be's in our leadership attributes. We cannot ever mark character off as done on a list and as such, we must always focus on it. In connection with that, we understand that as a center pole in a tent cannot be neglected or overlooked, the same goes for character, it must always be in the center of our attention.

The greatest example that I have character is my grandfather. As a leader, he never sought to compromise his character for any purpose of gain or advantage. More than not wanting to compromise his ideals, he was a huge example of character because he lived character when no one else was looking. This is the central reason that when I think of character I think of my Grandpa Matson.

The greatest thing that I learned about character on Monday was that character is something that requires a huge amount of courage and devotion. One cannot truly have character if one does not have courage in carrying out the situations where character is needed. I really feel that character with courage and devotion are some of the things that I seek on a daily basis. By focusing on applying this into my life, I feel that I can become the leader that I want to become, but if I do not seek to obtain the courage and devotion that I need to have to have a character that will support the leadership style that I want to implement.

My goals and plan to implement character in my own life focuses mostly on a personal analysis that must happen on a daily basis when I look at myself in the mirror nightly. If I can truly say that I demonstrated character in all things in that day, then I know that I am succeeding, but if I did not, I need to make a plan for the next day to demonstrate character and ensure that I write it in a place that I can look at throughout the next day. If I do this, I will see drastic improvement in my character and the application of it on a daily basis.

Servant Leadership- The Way of the Master and his Followers

My Grandfather, a true servant leader: No one in my life has exemplified a servant leader as much as my Grandfather. He has exemplified each and every aspect of servant leadership that I have ever learned. The life that my grandfather has lead has been all about service. He is loving, caring, thoughtful, inspirational, and most importantly he taught these principles to me through love and concern. The greatest event that taught me of Student Leadership was when he had me assist in helping a family that lived next door in some of their basic needs. To do this he had me assist him in delivery of necessities and ensured that I recognized that I was not to be noticed or receive recognition, but ponder the feelings that were in my heart. That was how I learned to be a righteous leader, any time I feel that feeling, I know that I am doing the right thing.

Servant Leadership is, the leadership that recognizes that the only true way to lead is to serve, with ones own hands, with ones own sweat, and with ones own effort. No leader should ever live on the means of those whom they serve, but should be the means by which the lives of those that they serve are made easier and filled with joy.

To combat the argument that servant leadership hurts us in our future career I would respond that the servant leader holds greater control of the lives of those that they serve. Think of the leader who thinks only of himself, those who follow are not motivated to serve and are not motivated to sacrifice for the betterment of the people. However, the people who are lead by one who is serving them will work harder, serve, and sacrifice for those that lead, in effect they are more effective and efficient leaders that can make a greater influence on others lives which leads to a greater gain in their own lives.