Tom,
You've taken a beautiful and simple story and added to it in a very
enriching way. I appreciate what you've done. The story, along with your
insights, have inspired me to reflect over my life as a leader. It has
also moved me to think about those who I admire as leaders, and what it is
about them that makes them good leaders.
I've concluded that a true leader is one who (a) understands "appropriate"
self-aggrandizement and who (b) is deeply concerned with the welfare of
others.
In my experience I have found a wonderful interplay between "helping
others" and "helping myself." For instance, as a religious leader, people
would come to me for counsel and direction. When they'd lay their problems
out before me, I would see myself in much of what they described. As I
worked with them to change, to grow, and to overcome I took for myself
what I was giving to them. And as a result I grew and changed and overcame
with them. It was a beautiful, symbiotic, experience that has deeply
enriched my life.
These private experiences had a definite impact on my public discourse.
The talks I'd give in church (I would not call them sermons) were
influenced by what was happening in the congregation. I knew people's
weaknesses, I knew their strengths, I knew their struggles, and I knew
their private victories. And I could relate to them, privately and
publicly, in a very beautiful and intimate way.
Thanks for providing me the opportunity to reflect on some very cherished
memories.
-- Benjamin Compton bbc_rc@hotmail.comLearning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>