6 Comments

Thank you Gusti - there’s much practical truth in this piece. I hope, all who read it, take it to heart, using it to ‘check’ their own leadership practices and style. ‘Everyone’ exercises leadership in their lives day to day. David

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Well, point out, David, that many people mistakenly believe leadership is just about having a title and that one mistake defines your abilities.

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Great insight Gusti! I wonder if you could align the three pillars (Character, Competence ["growth and purposeful development], and Trust) to a more strict definition (Merriam & Webster) of a leader, namely "one who directs or guides (a following, having) authority and influence (to do so)."... (Just had this discussion with a mentoree of mine)...What I mean is... the three pillars could just as easily describe a good or godly person. What makes it distinctly aligned to a good or godly leader as oppose to a good or godly person? I think of a good leader as one who can lead or guide a following in a direction it does not want to go. Example: JFK Kennedy led the US people to civic service (something most did not want to do) saying "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

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David, you express ideas so clearly—better than I could myself. Your leadership and insight constantly enrich my thinking. Thank you.

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Thanks, David. The categories could be seen in an interdisciplinary way. If you add theology, it could be described as Godly leadership. In business, effective leadership, etc. ------ I think of a good leader as one who can lead or guide a follower in a direction he does not want to go. - I like this quote, and here plays a Huge role buidling trust with those whom are entrusted to you.

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Again very helpful... I see better now the connection... so "in a direction he does not want to go" means a change intrinsically in desire not extrinsically... so not forced (eg. you'll get fired). This change intrinsically happens in part because of the three pillars... so if a relationship of trust is developed, and character is seen, and competence is demonstrated, and vision is cast, a follower goes (follows) a leader in this new direction... intrinsically.

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