June 4th, 2014

lead·er·ship

[lee-der-ship]  

noun

1.

The position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group: administration, management, directorship, control, governorship, stewardship, hegemony.

2.

Ability to lead: As early as sixth grade she displayed remarkable leadership potential Synonyms: authoritativeness, influence, command, effectiveness; sway, clout.

3.

An act or instance of leading; guidance; direction: 

When a group of people seek out a leader there tends to be many different qualities that are necessary to fill that role.  Amongst them is the ability to speak in clear concise tones which coincides with the “believability” factor in what that speaker i.e. leader has to say.  In the minds of many when asked who among our former presidents were great leaders there tends to be a great percentage who would offer up the notion that charisma equates to great leadership.  I argue that the two are not related.  When we were in grade school we would see the kids running for student council all make such outlandish promises such as root beer in all of the drinking fountains.  What the winners of these elections all had was a gift for speaking and getting a crowd energized.  Such is the case with our current president.  While he does possess a knack for energizing an audience, much of what he says is not entirely true and he knows it.  That quality some people have does not a leader make.  That is the point of this post.  While some past leaders have the ability to speak and speak well they then are able to make good on their claims.  We have had many high quality people who were and are great leaders not have the ability to speak well in public.  Even some of the great ones are still nervous when public speaking.  The quantity and tone of words has nothing to do with the quality of what has been spoken. Our current president used his speaking abilities to his advantage combined with understanding an audience twice to get himself elected.  Knowing the audience you are addressing often leads to your words having a greater impact.  One of the traits of a good speaker is understanding that.  The American people and I believe most groups have such an appetite for an opportunity to cheer that they often don’t pay attention to the after effects of what has been said.  Leaders are truly humbled by their followers so much they meticulously pay close attention to their message.  They understand that in order to continue to be successful they must constantly make their words count.  Not in a way that makes everyone cheer but in a way to garner respect for what has been spoken.  Unfortunately politicians have forgotten this little bit of truth.  In order to be followed thereby making you a leader you must deliver on those promises.  That notion seems to have become lost on many groups but most notably politicians.  The times have changed dramatically and this country wants and deserves a true leader.  Someone we can rally around and get America moving forward again.  Stewardship of this great country cannot and should not be based on ones ability to rally a group of individuals so starved for answers….they forget the question.

That’s all I have to say about that.