Meaning of Leadership
Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 4: 19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Some of the best leaders this country has ever had came out of the United States military.
President Dwight D Eisenhower said, "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." When I served in the Army / National Guard, we lived by the Army Values, which is based on the acronym of Leadership [LDRSHIP].
In the early part of my career, when I would see a higher ranking leaders and what they were doing, I would strive/work harder because I wanted to be in their position one day. I’m not going to lie, it seemed like they did little & reaped greater rewards (awards, money, respect,…. etc.). I was the low guy on the totem pole, so to speak and I wanted more. As time went along, I got promoted more & more and it seems the more I got promoted, the more responsibility was thrown on my plate until it got to the point that I really didn’t want to get promoted any more. I didn’t remember all those leaders stressing over their responsibilities like I was now accustomed to. I went from overseeing training of 6 Soldiers to eventually overseeing, scheduling & supplying 225 Soldiers culminating in serving as the acting senior non-commissioned officer in charge for the headquarters company while in Iraq. My final job in the military was overseeing the career path, pay & insurance for 900 Soldiers in a combined arms battalion. I always feared that I was not doing enough to help my Soldiers. I always kept a little green notebook with which I would note all the leaders in my career. In the notebook, I would cite what leaders were effective at or what they weren’t effective at, so if or when I was placed in their position, I wouldn’t make their same mistakes.
Some people are natural born leaders, others have to work hard at it. I’m definitely in the latter portion of that statement. Now, if you ever talk to another Soldier, there are two different types of Soldiers: Infantry and everybody else. The Airplanes, Field Artillery & Tanks can assault an objective or place, but the Infantry secures & holds the ground. BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: You cannot win an engagement without the Infantry. Which brings me to the definition of leadership. Can you define Leadership in two words? You can look in the dictionary but you wont find it there. Major Richard "Dick" Winters of the famed "Band of Brothers" quoted it in his book and it is the official motto of the United States Infantry School. But someone far greater said it first. Our Savior, the Son of God, said "Follow Me" first. "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
We lead by our deeds, demeanor & our actions. We must set the example for our sons, daughters, family, friends & fellow citizens just as Christ set the example for us. If we lead, others will follow. Don’t be afraid to admit your mistakes to your spouse, children, family, friends or co-workers. Set the example of what a true Christian leader does just like Christ did. If you do it right, you too will become fishers of men as well!
May you have a blessed day!
Will Ross
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Some of the best leaders this country has ever had came out of the United States military.
President Dwight D Eisenhower said, "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." When I served in the Army / National Guard, we lived by the Army Values, which is based on the acronym of Leadership [LDRSHIP].
- Loyalty = Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other soldiers
- Duty = Fulfill your obligations
- Respect = Treat people as they should be treated
- Selfless Service = Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own
- Honor = Live up to all the Army values
- Integrity = Do what’s right, legally and morally
- Personal Courage = Face fear, danger, or adversity [physical or mentally]
In the early part of my career, when I would see a higher ranking leaders and what they were doing, I would strive/work harder because I wanted to be in their position one day. I’m not going to lie, it seemed like they did little & reaped greater rewards (awards, money, respect,…. etc.). I was the low guy on the totem pole, so to speak and I wanted more. As time went along, I got promoted more & more and it seems the more I got promoted, the more responsibility was thrown on my plate until it got to the point that I really didn’t want to get promoted any more. I didn’t remember all those leaders stressing over their responsibilities like I was now accustomed to. I went from overseeing training of 6 Soldiers to eventually overseeing, scheduling & supplying 225 Soldiers culminating in serving as the acting senior non-commissioned officer in charge for the headquarters company while in Iraq. My final job in the military was overseeing the career path, pay & insurance for 900 Soldiers in a combined arms battalion. I always feared that I was not doing enough to help my Soldiers. I always kept a little green notebook with which I would note all the leaders in my career. In the notebook, I would cite what leaders were effective at or what they weren’t effective at, so if or when I was placed in their position, I wouldn’t make their same mistakes.
Some people are natural born leaders, others have to work hard at it. I’m definitely in the latter portion of that statement. Now, if you ever talk to another Soldier, there are two different types of Soldiers: Infantry and everybody else. The Airplanes, Field Artillery & Tanks can assault an objective or place, but the Infantry secures & holds the ground. BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: You cannot win an engagement without the Infantry. Which brings me to the definition of leadership. Can you define Leadership in two words? You can look in the dictionary but you wont find it there. Major Richard "Dick" Winters of the famed "Band of Brothers" quoted it in his book and it is the official motto of the United States Infantry School. But someone far greater said it first. Our Savior, the Son of God, said "Follow Me" first. "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
We lead by our deeds, demeanor & our actions. We must set the example for our sons, daughters, family, friends & fellow citizens just as Christ set the example for us. If we lead, others will follow. Don’t be afraid to admit your mistakes to your spouse, children, family, friends or co-workers. Set the example of what a true Christian leader does just like Christ did. If you do it right, you too will become fishers of men as well!
May you have a blessed day!
Will Ross
Posted in Discipleship