If you are participating in the Center for Homeland Defense and Security seminar on September 16, please answer the three survey questions to the right.
Please select the comment "button" immediately below and briefly describe the individual who in your experience best personifies the meaning of leadership. Please be as brief as possible.
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12 comments:
strategic thinker
energized and positive
pulls the organization forward
expects everyone to perform to their peak potential
knows their subordinates
recognizes achievements
The individual I view as an example of a great leader is Robert E. Lee.
West Point graduate, top of his class with 0 demerits (an achievement in itself), outstanding junior officer during his early career especially during the Mexican War, honorable (turned down command of the Union Armies to avoid having to invade his home state), humble (worked on designing coastal defenses before accepting a position within Richmond as an advisor to President Davis), accepted field command of the Army of Northern Virginia only when called upon to do so, intelligent and insightful (knew his opponents and used their weaknesses against them), loyalty (was loyal to his troops and in return received their adoration and willingness to do whatever he asked of them, no matter the cost), delegated duties and allowed his subordinates to develop their operations within his guidelines (did not always work well, but he stuck with it as long as he could), selfless (accepted responsibility for lost opportunities, mistakes, and defeats), duty (expected everyone to perform their duty to the country), forgiving and respectful (overlooked subordinates errors and is not known to have dressed anyone down in front of another officer), was quick to enforce peace once the war was lost and refused to carry on a guerilla war, did not carry out fueds with other generals following the war (ie Longstreet and Pickett at Gettysburg), highly respected and honored by all following the war, returned to private life as president of a university, still studied and named amongst the top generals of history for his achievements and those of the troops he commanded
Inspires not only by words but in actions-has a vision- is credible- and is not driven by popular opinion but of a sense of right and wrong. May not be the most popular person, but history tells the final story-
Example: President Lincoln
An effective leader creates a vision of what an organization or group is working for, engages the organization or group in identifying and developing strategies to achieve their goals and objectives, empowers group members to succeed, and recognizes the achievements of group members.
General David Petraeus best personifies leadership. On the individual level, people follow him because they truly believe he has the ability to get them to a better place. On an organizational level, he is an effective because he is more than just a visionary and a strategic leader; he has the ability to call people to action and motivate them to achieve goal-centric results under very complicated, high-stakes, and stressful circumstances. He has a record of understanding the essentials of each situation, knowing where the solutions may be found, and bringing it all together to resolve the issues and move the organization forward.
Harry Truman succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt as president before the end of the war. An unpretentious man who had previously served as Democratic senator from Missouri, then as vice president, Truman initially felt ill-prepared to govern the United States. Roosevelt had not confided in him about complex postwar issues and he had little prior experience in international affairs. "I'm not big enough for this job," he told a former colleague.
But Truman responded quickly to new challenges. Impulsive, he proved willing to make quick decisions about the problems he faced. A sign on his White House desk, since famous in American politics, read "The Buck Stops Here," and reflected his willingness to take responsibility for his actions.
QUOTE:
"America was not built on fear. America was built
on courage, on imagination and unbeatable
determination to do the job at hand."
1-8-1947
CITATION = http://countrystudies.us/united-states/history-108.htm
I have no authority on leadership because there is no defining it. Leadership is many things and can be performed well using an array of strategies and tactics. Also, how a leadership style is perceived by one may be different to another. A very good leader in a given situation may be unsuitable for another type of challenge. That is, Brett Favre may be the perfect person to lead the Jets down the field to score a last minute touchdown but stick him in the middle of Beverly's job and he will most certainly fail.
Ability to motivate and inspire others to do the extraordinary.
Someone who leads by his/her own actions and example.
A person with vision who does what is right even if the right thing is unpopular.
A person of character, loyalty and honesty.
Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Roosevelt’s sheer determination can be seen from his youthful years overcoming a sickly body through the rest of his life. He faced corruption head on and led with his actions and deeds. Great communicator who used storytelling to explain complex issues. Led with strength and determination throughout his life. Abraham Lincoln a self educated hard working man. A man of character. He worked hard to bring rival groups together to fight for the common good. Through his actions many of his former rivals grew to respect and love him. Worked as best he could to do the right thing even if unpopular.
I would have to concur with several of my classmates who have selected Lincoln as someone who exemplified leadership. He did what he felt was right, against great odds, by using inspiration and courage. His communication was so effective then that we even quote him now. The fact that his advice is used now and found to be relevant to today's challenges really speaks volumes to his ability to lead beyond the grave.
I think of two of my high school teachers. One of them was an older man who did collateral duty as principal; the other a much younger man who directed and oversaw school plays. Despite generational and other differences, they had some things in common.
They were both personally enthusiastic about the subjects they taught, and their enthusiasm was infectious: they communicated to their students a desire to learn more. They encouraged students who were interested in pursuing questions outside of class and made school facilities (lab equipment, books, workspace) available.
More, they were interested in the kids they worked with in a comprehensive and disinterested way. They were concerned with the students' welfare both inside and outside the classroom, and they acted in the students' interest -- sometimes even when the students weren't particularly grateful for it.
They were gentlemen: they had standards, they did their best to live by those standards, and by their example they encouraged their students (and other teachers) to meet those standards as well. In short, they led by example.
They contributed to their community: although they were both busy as teachers, they voluntarily assumed other duties that made significant demands on their time and energy. Moreover, they took pains to do well what they undertook to do.
In summary: they believed in what they were doing, they communicated their belief by word and by example, they set high standards for themselves and others, they encouraged others to meet those standards positively rather than through opprobrium, and they made affirmative contributions to the community. They may not have been leaders on a national scale, but they were shining examples of the best in their profession.
Confident; straight-talker; courageous; trail-blazer; listens to wise counsel; can make tough, unpopular decisions; a survivor; doesn't give up, but knows when to step down. Although she was hardly perfect, I've always enjoyed reading about Golda Meir
For me, leadership is about influencing others and being more concerned with the team, group, company or country that he or she is leading rather than him or herself. An effective leader is a good communicator, inspires trust, decisive, knowledgeable, and candid.
From my experience, Jack Welch is a good example of a business leader and Colin Powell is a good example of a military/political leader.
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