Without respect from those one leads, there is no leadership; only, delayed mutiny.
Leadership is a quality, not an office. Real leadership is not bestowed but recognized. Leadership is not authority; authority is right. Leadership is not power; power is might. Leadership is essential but ephemeral — to grasp it is to lose it.
The reason for the above is that I witnessed an odd situation recently. At an organization I respect there was an opportunity for some to act as gatekeepers into leadership of that organization, yet, the ones given such opportunity failed to exercise their right. It dawned on me that these ones must not treasure the leadership role in this beloved organization if they could so easily refuse to participate in the gatekeeper function. The gatekeeper function is two-fold: on one hand, it protects the leadership from an unqualified addition, on the other hand it helps to bring in qualified additions that might be otherwise excluded. Either negative result damages leadership in the organization. To be so nonchalant that one doesn't participate when able shows disregard not for the applicants but for the leadership.
Being in a leadership role is not easy. It's not a matter of just doing specific tasks well but also of how one's demeanor and actions outside of specific work tasks affect others. The Apostle Paul said that while he was free according to the law of the Gospel to eat meat sacrificed to idols, for the sake of those who did not have the same understanding he would refrain from eating such meat so that they would not be stumbled. This is taking the view of the team as more important than one's own right. Whatever one thinks of the Apostle Paul and his message, no one can deny that his approach to building a team and a world-class organization excels — what organization has lasted longer than the Church his work and writings help found?
It appears that some day I may enter into a role that involves leadership. It is my sincere hope to remember this experience and this post to guide my actions in such a role.
