THE LEADER WITHIN
“Leadership is a series of behaviors rather than a role for heroes”…Margaret Wheatley
THE RISE OF A NATIONAL HERO
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you discover why.” – Mark Twain
National heroes are defined as individuals who make significant contributions to the development of society and are also admired for qualities such as: courage, selflessness, and outstanding achievements. Some well-known national heroes include: Nelson Mandela (South Africa): Imprisoned for his relentless fight against apartheid; Mahatma Gandhi (India): Led the campaign for India’s independence from the British by championing philosophies known as (1) nonviolence (Ahimsa) and (2) nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha); and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (USA): Leader in the Civil Rights Movement who advocated for change through nonviolence.
In the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most recognized national leaders, and is also widely considered to be the most prominent campaigner in the struggle for civil rights in the 20th century. King’s significant contributions to society coupled with a 15-year advocacy campaign from civil rights activists, eventually led to President Ronald Reagan signing a bill into federal law in 1983 designating the third Monday in January as MLK Day.
In addition to Dr. King being a prominent campaigner for civil rights during his lifetime, his lasting legacy also consists of timeless leadership qualities which have been taught in various professional and educational settings. However, in addition to these public trainings, it is also important to remember that we all have the ability to cultivate great leadership qualities within us that can be beneficial to our lives professionally, personally, and socially.
THE VISION
“The greatest leaders mobilize others by coalescing people around a shared vision.” Ken Blanchard
When I reflect over the lives of some of the world’s greatest heroes and leaders, I often wonder how they were able to balance their passion for change with the impending dangers that they faced from their opposition. It is widely known that most people go along with the status quo instead of taking the road less traveled because it often feels safer and familiar. On the other hand, considering potential changes introduces uncertainty. Yet, despite potential danger, there are those who chose to never abandon their vision even if it might cost them their life.
There was an article published in the January 2007 edition of The Journal of The National Medical Association titled, “The leadership principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and their relevance to surgery”. The article was collectively authored by F. Charles Brunicardi, Ronald T. Cotton, George W. Cole, and George Martinez. Not surprisingly, the number one leadership principle that was mentioned in the article was the importance of leaders having a vision based on principle – a quality that Dr. King’s was widely respected for. The second leadership principle mentioned in the article was “effective communication”, which for Dr. King, resulted in him delivering many classic speeches such as: “I Have A Dream” and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”.
It was on April 3, 1968, that Dr. King gave his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech in front of an overflowing crowd in Memphis, Tennessee. In summary, Dr. King said, “We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will, and He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. So I’m happy tonight, I’m not worried about anything, I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord”. Less than 24 hours after this very heart wrenching and prophetic speech, Dr. King was assassinated.
The choices that Dr. King made were indeed not for the faint of heart, which probably contributed to the decline in large-scale organized events following his death. However, there are some who believe that perhaps Dr. King was “born for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
BORN OR MADE
“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.” – William Shakespeare
Coach Vince Lombardi is known for saying, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” However, Lombardi’s words are in contrast to Thomas Carlyle’s “Great Man Theory” which was published in the early 1800s. As part of Carlyle’s theory, it was his belief that great men are shaped by innate and almost divine qualities. But whether or not you agree with Lombardi’s or Carlyle’s perspective is perhaps a matter of principle. However, from a modern day research standpoint, there are compelling arguments for both sides.
In 2017, there was an article published in the National Library of Medicine titled: “Point/Counterpoint: Are Outstanding Leaders Born or Made?” The article explored the long-standing debate about the origin of great leadership. In support of “innate traits and genetic predispositions”, studies of twins were used as examples. However, as it relates to the posit that great leaders are “made”, examples of individuals like Walt Disney and John D. Rockefeller were used. Walt Disney, for example, was raised by a mom who was a home-maker and a father who failed at most business schemes in which he ventured. Yet, Walt Disney prevailed, and also despite some setbacks, went on to become a great pioneer in the field of animation. John D. Rockefeller, on the other hand, was abandoned by his father as a small boy and once he grew up, started establishing his wealth slowly and methodically eventually creating the largest oil refiner in the world during the turn of the 20th century.
Indeed some people are predisposed to leadership, however, it still requires work to cultivate good leadership skills. On the other hand, for those that do not have a genetic disposition to leadership, this simply means that you hold the key to developing a powerful and effective leader within.
RESOURCES:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2569605
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5423074
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/great-man-theory
https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/15-year-battle-martin-luther-king-jr-day
https://www.history.com/articles/martin-luther-king-jr-dr-spock-presidential-campaign
https://www.speeches-usa.com/Transcripts/martin_luther_king-mountaintop.html
https://www.govexec.com/management/2010/01/make-a-difference-this-year-right-now/39563
