The Surroundings of a Leader

'A' leaders surround attract other 'A' leaders. 'B' leaders attract 'C' leaders.

I've been pondering this a bit over the last few days. Who leaders choose to surround themselves with will determine a lot about their ability to lead. Think about the 'A' leaders you know (I understand this may be difficult...there are not very many 'A' leaders in our world). Then think about the other people they have around them. They're pretty sharp leaders, too, aren't they? And think about good ('B') leaders you know. They have attracted other leaders, but there is an understanding, a pecking order, a heirarchy of "who's in charge." Big difference.

Before coming on staff with Pierced, Megan and I took a week away in the mountains to read, pray, sleep and relax. I read a book on the leadership style of Teddy Roosevelt and it was incredibly insightful. TR was confident enough in his leadership ability that he surrounded himself with men on his cabinet who he claimed to be better than he was. And because of his willingness to pick a team that was better that he was, he attributed this as the reason why he is seen as such a great leader.

The new national bestseller, Team of Rivals, is a look at Abraham Lincoln's leadership and his willingness to surround himself with great leaders, even if they were on opposite ends of the political spectrum. That takes guts.

To be an A leader that attracts other leaders who are just as good as them (and sometimes better) means that that A leader must be pretty confident; willing to swallow their pride. They must see the greater cause to be more important than the advancement of their own personal agendas.

That takes a lot of courage and self-confidence to do such a thing...but it's worth it.

Any other thoughts hitting you on this concept of 'A' leadership?

Comments

[leigh ann]

sorry - this is not about leadership - but about loving your music selection right now, especially Cat Stevens (that is my favorite cooking music) and Pedro!!!!!

[revtom]

dude, great thots on leadership... I have not always been the empowering leader who enables others to lead, but in the last ten years, i have sure seen the value of it... a long time ago i heard this: "the test of a true leader is what happens when she is not around" if one leads as you have suggested, things will go well, because leaders are developing and enabled!

[Gary]

I agree with revtom... you know you've done your job when everthing does not fall apart when God moves or takes you.

[Marcguyver]

I hearty here! here!

And Revtom hit it on the head with, "True leadership is seen by the actions of your subordinates when the 'leader' is not around."

And you see it everwhere: The Armed Services, Business World, Churches, Athletic Teams, good leadership and leadership skills are truly best seen in those who aren't afraid to "tap into" the strengths and ideas of their subordinates. They also lead from the front by example, and remember that mission accomplishment is always before troop welfare.

And as a side note; I've alwasys thought that enthusiasm is contagious and can be a real fireball, or mission defeater.

[DR]

A true "A" leader ought to be about the task of "working himself/herself out of a job" as quickly as possible ... by making him(her)self redundant.

[J.R.]

DR,

I like that phrase "self redundant."

It seemed that Jesus was all about this method, since much of his multiplication methods still exist to this day...