On Leadership | GREAT SUMMIT

LEADERSHIP GREATNESS IS GOOD WHEN IT SERVES OTHERS

WHAT IS EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP, ANYWAY?

IT IS THE DISCOVERY OF, INFLUENCE TOWARD, AND ACHIEVEMENT OF SHARED PURPOSE

Simply put, to be an effective leader, you must discover where you and others seek to go, influence them to follow you and reach that better future state.

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IMAGINE THAT YOU WANT TO GO ON AN EXCURSION CRUISE

YOU MIGHT...

Inspect the vessel - is it seaworthy, does it appear able to reach its desired destination(s)?
Read reviews - do others find value in it?
Determine if the destination is desirable - is it where you want to go?
Check out the crew and captain - do they appear to be experienced, trustworthy?
Consider the cost, duration, and amenities - is it the best use of my time and money?

That picture is a bit like leadership. Good leaders represent seaworthy vessels that people trust to climb aboard and voyage. What is the condition of your LeaderSHIP?

OF COURSE,

LEADERSHIP DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

IT TAKES COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP THE COMPETENCE AND CHARACTER TO BE TRUSTED AS ONE WORTHY TO FOLLOW.

All leaders start as followers. The pattern is follow, lead, and repeat. Good leaders thus treat learning as a daily habit, then share the learning to elevate others, and continue the cycle of growth.

NOW, IF YOU WANT TO

BECOME A GREAT LEADER

There is a story of two ambitious brothers in search of power, prestige and position.

THEY FOUND AND FOLLOWED A TEACHER

That some said was destined to be king. And the brothers petitioned their leader to rule by his side.

BUT THE TEACHER WISELY

Saw that the brothers sought self-glory and self-preservation. So he responded with a challenge, saying, "He who is greatest among you is your servant. If anyone wants to be great, learn to serve."

THE BROTHERS, GRASPING HUMILITY

Took up the challenge and daily led through serving others until they one day rejoined the teacher in greatness.

YOU MAY RECOGNIZE

This touch of history, adapted from ancient scriptures that still holds weight today. It is no surprise that leadership is often regarded as exclusive and an even abusive use of power for personal gain.

We reject that belief and behavior, building our educational program upon the foundational movement of radically exceptional leadership through serving well.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY

SERVING LEADERS

PERPETUATE

SERVING LEADERS

Robert Greenleaf coined the term 'servant leadership' many years ago and posed a question to gauge our progress as serving leaders:

“Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?”

Now that is greatness worth striving toward.

WHAT IS EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP, ANYWAY?

IT IS THE DISCOVERY OF, INFLUENCE TOWARD, AND ACHIEVEMENT OF SHARED PURPOSE

Simply put, to be an effective leader, you must discover where you and others seek to go, influence them to follow you and reach that better future state.

IMAGINE THAT YOU WANT TO GO ON AN EXCURSION CRUISE

YOU MIGHT...

Inspect the vessel - is it seaworthy, does it appear able to reach its desired destination(s)?

Read reviews - do others find value in it?

Determine if the destination is desirable - is it where you want to go?

Check out the crew and captain - do they appear to be experienced, trustworthy?

Consider the cost, duration, and amenities - is it the best use of my time and money?

That picture is a bit like leadership. Good leaders represent seaworthy vessels that people trust to climb aboard and voyage. What is the condition of your LeaderSHIP?

OF COURSE,

LEADERSHIP DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

IT TAKES COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP THE COMPETENCE AND CHARACTER TO BE TRUSTED AS ONE WORTHY TO FOLLOW.

All leaders start as followers. The pattern is follow, lead, and repeat. Good leaders thus treat learning as a daily habit, then share the learning to elevate others, and continue the cycle of growth.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY

SERVING LEADERS

PERPETUATE

SERVING LEADERS

Robert Greenleaf coined the term 'servant leadership' many years ago and posed a question to gauge our progress as serving leaders:

​

“Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?”

​

Now that is greatness worth striving toward.