Thursday, July 26, 2018

Celebration of Leadership!

Celebration of Leadership!
By Allen Merritt ©2018

I spotted the back of a tee shirt a gentleman was wearing this morning which read, “The Celebration of Leadership.” As I contemplate more and better ways to express positive examples toward living, loving and learning, I thought this was a nice topic to approach.

Now, this is as good a week as any for me to consider it as I witness folks setting examples, helping and teaching children many lessons while having fun and celebrating during vacation bible school. There is a lot of energy, enthusiasm, encouragement and positivity.

Strong, honest, good, encouraging and positive leadership is a vision to behold. It is something many ought to strive for if for no other reason than others are watching and waiting. They need model examples of how to improve, achieve and accomplish happier circumstances for which to live by. Some are self initiating, others need help.

Why do I say that? The reason is because it is evident from taking in the overwhelming amounts of information thrown at us each day that people are hurting. They give up and end their own lives. Others act out their pain in such a fashion as to hurt others. Some of those individuals are overcoming and winning their battles while others are not. And when we are not getting past our trials, healing becomes our prime focus. We aim to get over “it”.

My thought on this is what if we were to focus on healing first? Sort of a heal as you go and already be somewhat ready to win. How can we do that? We prepare. We train our minds and spirits by filling and surrounding ourselves with all that is good.

Of course, there are many ways to believe and achieve, but it occurs to me for many people it begins or began with those that set the example, provide leadership and guidance. Beyond our parents, teachers and fellowship circles/communities who are our true leaders? Maybe it is the one(s) that help us and others to grow and blossom into everything we can be.

Leaders are not necessarily the ones who hold leadership positions or are the authoritarians as evidenced by today’s political circumstances. I would dare say many do not see good leadership in those arenas. Angry and reactionary words spewing forth in tweets, texts, emails, media interviews and for which are blasted all over the papers do not reflect a positive approach to solving anything or moving forward in any way. This approach is destructive and damaging. How can anyone celebrate this kind of leadership?

When I think of strong leadership skills worthy of celebrating, I think of the following assets.

Encouragement
Nurturing approach
Listening
Kindness
Sense of care
Appreciation
Gentility
Willingness to give
Trustworthiness
Respectfulness
Empathy

This list can go on with many more positive attributes, but these certainly point us in the better direction.

There are many articles and publications available to provide information on what it means and how to become an effective leader (see links below), but the purpose I propose today is more about the importance of positive attributes in leadership of any kind.  

Personally, I believe positivity is the best approach to helping ourselves and others. 

Interestingly, many of the positive qualities I speak of happen to be the same ones depicted in effective leadership. Everyone wants to feel good and on the right track, don’t they?

So as we think about the leaders in our lives and the leadership attributes we put forth, can we also consider how the impact and effect of those attributes land on ourselves and others and make alterations toward improvements as needed? Can we be conscientious toward how other people feel and what their needs are and not be entirely centered on self?

Moreover, let’s find reasons to put forth the best in positive qualities toward better outcomes. Therein we’ll find a reason to celebrate all our lives more abundantly.

Have a great week celebrating every aspect of who you are!


Cheers!

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