Who Is Standing With You?

Leaders, especially in the past twenty years, have done little to gain our trust or make us proud. Too often those in the political arena have betrayed promises made or behaved badly in their personal lives. The business sector hasn’t done any better as stories abound of leaders convicted of fraud or operating unethically. Even our sports heroes disappoint us with their on-field temper tantrums and off-field excesses.

If we are to rebuild the public’s confidence in civic and corporate leadership a new type of leader must emerge. A number of recent books and articles have begun exploring what this new breed of leadership will require. The current political race for the White House is shining a spotlight on leadership in some positive and negative ways. I want to comment briefly on a quieter revolution that will be needed before our country’s current leadership vacuum can be filled.

In communities all across this nation the need for effective leadership is now being recognized as a key ingredient for solving many of our most pressing problems. Our local, state, and federal governments do little to inspire trust or demonstrate competency. It seems that many of the brightest and best leaders are choosing other professions to practice their talents and skills. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

As our local United Way demonstrated recently during a fifteen-month strategic planning process, there are dozens of passionate, capable, and willing leaders in our communities. They are diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, and background. Their experiences and stories are rich and energizing. The power of this leadership contingent can, and likely will, have a noticeable impact on our area in the months ahead. But there is a key ingredient that none of these leaders can provide.

It is inevitable that their work, whether volunteer or paid, will be scrutinized and in many cases criticized. Those who don’t share their political or religious views will likely attack them at some point along the way. In many cases these leaders will take unpopular stands and courageously act to change systems and processes that have been entrenched for many years.

Who will stand with them when these challenges and adversities appear? Do leaders need effective followers in order to do their best work? I have been a leader during difficult times and know the power of an encouraging word, an unexpected gift of flowers, or an offer of prayer by someone who cared. Those small acts of kindness and support, that willingness to stand with me when the going was tough, made all the difference.

I’m optimistic we can create a new generation of inspiring leaders. It is what my business is all about and why I do what I do every day. But I am also convinced we must simultaneously develop a new movement of committed followers. These persons must be willing to stand with their leaders, not in blind devotion but with a sense of purpose and hope in our collective futures. Without the support of followers, even the most dedicated and gifted leaders will eventually give up. It’s time for all of us to stand with each other and change our world.