Looking at what is going on in Libya today, it's not hard to find a really good example of a leader who thinks it is about the power of an individual. But even if we don't look at the extremes, can you find examples of this even within your own sphere of work and community?
Juana Bordas broke out 5 ways that leaders grow their communities by engaging people in her book Salsa, Soul and Spirit. They are:
1) encouraging participation and building consensus,
2) creating a community of leaders,
3) generating a shared vision,
4) using culturally effective communication, and
5) weaving partnerships and connections.
In her view, leadership does not belong to any one person, but to the community it serves. Therefore 'top' leadership positions are routinely rotated and it is expected that leaders only take their fair share like everyone else, they never take more of the community resources.
I know this may really rub some of us the wrong way, especially knowing how much time and energy it takes to build consensus when we just want someone to get in there, make a decision and do it! It's just interesting to me to listen to others ideas and observe how it works differently in some cultures. Bordas also points how this type of leadership is common to the Black, American Indian, and Latino cultures. It's always good to understand where others may be coming from, don't you think?
I'm a big believer in incorporating the best behaviors, always learning from our experiences and constant improvement. I just can't buy into the complete power model that we tend to gravitate to as Americans as being the absolute best we can be. I hope we'll learn to incorporate more of the Servant Leadership model into our politics, companies and communities. I know I can always start with me.
Remember to spend some quality time on you!
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