Leadership

So, I've really needed to write for a while, but I don't really know where to start.

"Attitude reflects leadership."
-Remember the Titans

Something I have been thinking a lot about recently is leadership. I really want to take on a leadership role in an organization that I'm in, but I want to make sure that I'm right for the job. I have been really frustrated lately with some of the leaders in the groups that I am in, and after hearing the negative feedback and seeing the negative reactions to them, I want to make sure I don't end up in the same position. I know that over the last couple of years I have grown as a person, but over the last few months I really feel like I've grown as a leader. As a committee chair, I'm very proud of having the largest committee in my organization. Sure, it makes me a little egotistical that people join my committee and stay in my committee instead of going to the others. I love my committee, they are always willing to help me out and I try to respect them and show them gratitude when they do help.

The way I see it, leadership is about balance. It's not a dictatorship, it's a democracy. There has to be a balance between the leader saying "this is how it's going to be" and giving the general members what they want. Being a leader means being able to compromise and having the ability to look past what's best for their self and instead what is best for the group as a whole. Strong leaders know how to be present and invisible, all at the same time. They are there to keep people organized and to make sure things run smoothly, to ensure that the members of the organization are keeping it going. It's not their job to run the group singlehandedly, but to motivate the members to do their part. They shouldn't always be hovering, barking orders, or demanding things be done their way. Good leaders don't demand respect, they earn it. They realize and acknowledge their downfalls and mistakes, but they also recognize their strengths. They learn from constructive criticism and they adjust accordingly. They have to lead by example and learn how to set aside differences. Leaders can't expect their followers to do something if they don't and they have to get past personal agendas and biases to focus on the good of the group as a whole. Not to say that they aren't entitled to their personal opinions, but there is a time and a place for those issues to be taken care of, and it's not in front of a group. Being able to see when things aren't working and trying to change them is important too. Recognizing that people are unhappy or that something isn't working out is a quality that a good leader must have. A good leader must also be able to be in command and have a vision of the past, the present, and the future. While we shouldn't dwell on the past and past mistakes and failures, it is important not to just dismiss them either. People need to learn from their mistakes and see what went wrong the first time, what can be improved upon, and what can be done differently. The past is an important part of the present and the future if it is evaluated correctly and is an important learning device. Obviously, a leader being able to recognize what is happening in the present is vital to the survival of any organization. A leader should be able to see what is and isn't working and immediately make adjustments. Finally, a good leader must also be able to look ahead to the future. If something is going to harm the organization in the long run, it is obviously not a good idea. Leadership is all about balancing, adjusting, learning.

I really want to be a good leader. I think that in some ways, I am. I also think that I have a lot of things to work on to be the kind of leader that I want to be. I want people to be able to look up to me and to at least say that I gave it my all, even if things don't work out. I'm really nervous, but also really excited about the opportunities I think I am going to have in a couple of months. I hope that even if I don't accomplish my goal and get the position I want, that I can learn from it and earn another position.

Another aspect of leadership I have been thinking about is the leadership that I am currently under. I feel like some of the leaders I deal with on an almost daily basis lack certain aspects of being a good leader. As I mentioned above, personal agendas and vendettas need to be checked at the door. Things that are discussed in private forums, arguments that occur between fellow leaders, anything like that, needs to be checked at the door. There is an air of negativity that surrounds meetings and events, and while people might try to pretend it doesn't exist, it's there. Executive members might not see what's happening but members sense the uncomfortable air and the lack of devotion of the leaders. It's present and instead of addressing it, people just turn their heads to it and try to act like it doesn't exist. There is a severe lack of respect for leadership for various different reasons, many of which are fairly personal and way to detailed to get into now, but the problems aren't being addressed. Leadership is taking the angle that if people don't like it, they can move on. The problem is, people are moving on, and it's working negatively towards the goals and ideals of the organization. Good leaders would recognize this and take the measures necessary to correct it, but the dedication just isn't there for some people. It's gone on way too long, and while people are starting to acknowledge the changes now, it's too late to change what has happened. Hopefully things will get better, but only time will tell.

Hoping things are looking up,
T