(Submitted by Most Worshipful Master James F. Troutt II)

Who will you have for your Grand Master? That is what a Brother should be thinking when he votes for a Grand Junior Warden, or a Grand Senior Warden or a Deputy Grand Master. The bible says we need to see the end from the beginning. Grand Master is the end; Grand Junior Warden is the beginning.

How should we determine whom we want to put in leadership? What should be the criteria? How does one qualify to be Grand Master, or Grand Junior Warden? What qualities should one have? How do we recognize a Leader? Is he the one who is popular? Is he the one who can recite the whole ritual, but does not live it? Is it Seattle's turn.., or Tacoma's... or Spokane's?

What will make us effective individually in determining the fate of our jurisdiction? We can vote for leadership that we believe will fight to build this jurisdiction, to build its reputation, to build it's membership, to build its financial stability and to build its assets. Or...we can vote--as individuals--for our friends who will help us achieve our personal goals and objectives and work on personal agendas and show their great power.

Let us go back to the question of determining what leadership is. Contrary to the thought process, which concludes that leaders are born, not made, it is now believed that the art of leading can be taught, and can be mastered. Characteristics fundamental to a good leader are in part, listed below:

CONFIDENCE...A leader must believe in himself in order to cause others to believe in him. Confidence has to be acquired over time, and at every stage of the leader's climb up the ladder. The leader must build up assurance and be convinced of his own competency. This comes from very specific training to acquire very specific leadership skills. The leader then gradually accumulates   both professional and life experiences.

ENERGY…A leader cannot ask others to do what he is unwilling to do himself. He has to do all he asks of others, and more. He has to work harder, longer, smarter, face more difficult situations with danger signs apparent, carry heavier loads and go on when everyone else quits.  Leaders aren't allowed to quit...they are driven by something inside that just won't let them quit.

TIMING…Being alert, creative, innovative and having enough foresight to see the end from the beginning. If a leader is born ahead of his time, it is difficult for him to be successful in leading his own generation; they haven't caught up. We had a situation twenty years ago when a Grand Master foresaw where we could go with computers. However, the timing was off. Others couldn't understand what he was thinking about, causing him to be unsuccessful. Good leader, good programs-wrong timing.

CLARITY...The leader has to be clear, logical, and able to weigh alternatives and make sound decisions. Then he must convey his thoughts clearly and concisely. A leader who thinks, yet is incapable of expressing what he thinks, is at the same level with a person who is incapable of thinking.

TENACITY...A leader must have courage. He has to be capable of "Hanging in There" a tiny bit longer to achieve his goal. He has to proofread the plan or strategy one more time, although he has done it a hundred times. He must inspire others to do the same. He has to be BOLD-take chances, experiment, refuse to accept failure or to give up. He must have concern for others if he wants others to follow. He needs to have vision.

MORALITY... Must have absolute code of ethics. Must be obedient when no one is around to enforce it. Must have the type of character to do the right thing when no one is watching. Has to have a strong sense of duty and honor related to Masonry; a strong love for God, country and this Order.

FAITH...Must believe in his people and the goals he has set. Must know without faith in God he would be to likely to waiver in uncertainty to be effective. He has to know of the existence of certain values, such as respect, pride in achieving excellence, honor, loyalty, dedication, and reliability.

The saying is: "It's Lonely At The Top." Life just gets harder and nothing guarantees success. We need team players as Grand Lodge Officers.  Who have you noticed being a team player? How should your Grand Lodge Staff be dressed...as leaders of this fraternal order, as business men in coats and ties or as ordinary people in t-shirts or warm-ups who can not be distinguished from the rest of the community? Does it matter how we represent you? Not only should we want our Grand Master to LOOK like a Grand Master, but also we should want our whole line to look like Grand Masters.