Leadership & Service

Something ironic about great leadership is that it entails being good at providing service to others. Not just the kind of service one would provide in order to gain compensation, but really investing in serving others in need – especially to those who can’t provide any compensation in return.

It’s interesting how groups of people naturally feel the need to be led. Many people subconsciously choose a leader within a group. Unfortunately, it can often be the person who appears the loudest or most opinionated. Just because someone seems like an “alpha bro” doesn’t mean they are correct or actually know what they are talking about. Sometimes, the quieter person knows more than he lets on, simply because he or she doesn’t need to prove to others the knowledge they have. They simply live it rather than talk it.

A leader shouldn’t want to be a leader for the sake of being a leader. Power trips are dangerous for the wellbeing of everyone. Someone who leads should do so out of genuine care and regard for the wellbeing of others. Leadership is responsibility, and it can’t be abused for the sake of an ego. True leadership brings a personal connection to those being led rather than creating a separation of power. An effective leader enables others and is able to utilize the talents and abilities of others for the group’s benefit.

The world is incredibly complex, and a man who understands knows that his place is quite small. However, despite his nature, he is still capable of great things – especially in groups - and groups need to be led in order to be fully effective.

When the emphasis of social connection is focused on a social hierarchy, than it can bring negative connotations. Generally, no one likes being told what to do, but often people like to know what to do. There is a big difference between those two. There is often a lot of dormant talent just lying around. People with ability, creativity, and passion, just letting it lie around dormant - hoping for something to fall into their laps. The world won’t hand you something, you have to go out and get it. A good leader can enable an otherwise lazy man to be active and contribute.

Leadership requires an understanding of service and an understanding of living for a cause higher the ones’ self-interests.

For further related reading, please check out: Happy to Help.