I searched high and low. I spoke with authority. People Listened. But, alas, there was one who was wiser than I and they followed that individual.
I sought to inspire confidence, but the crowd asked,"Why should I trust you?"
I postured, and assumed the look of leadership with the countenance that flowed with the confidence and pride. But many passed me by and never noticed my air of elegance.
I ran ahead of the others, pionted out the way to new heights. I demonstrated that I knew the route to greatness. And when I looked beck I was alone.
"What shall I do?" I asked. " I've tried hard and used all that I know." I sat down and pondered long.
And then, I listened to the voices around me. I heard what the group was trying to accomplish. I rolled up my sleeves and joined in the work.
As we worked I asked,"Are we all together in what we want to do and how do we get the job done?"
And we thought together and we fought together, and we struggled towards our goal.
I found myself encouraging the fainthearted. I sought the ideas of those too shy to speak.
I taught those with little skill. I praised those who worked hard.
When our task was completed, one of the group turned to me and said,"This would not have been donewithout your leadership."
At first I said, " I didn't lead. I just worked with the rest." And then I understood, leadership is not a goal. It's a way to reaching a goal.
I lead best when I help others to go where they have decided tp go. I lead best when I help the use themselves creatively. I lead best when I forget about myself as a leader and focas on the group-Their needs and their goals.
To lead is to serve, to give, to achieve together.