LEADERSHIP LESSON: The Best in People

There has been a quite a debate in recent months about the value of a leader's ability to inspire and the skill of bringing the best out in people --- guiding the individual to find within himself or herself the gifts to contribute that resided there all along. Why are these such important qualities in a leader?

I was cleaning out a cabinet and I found a story about George Washington that I had tucked away a long time ago. Unfortunately, it came to me without notation of its origin. There must have been something that touched me even then, long before I was focused on the art of putting our differences to work. The story clearly demonstrates the usefulness of these inspiring, insightful qualities. President Washington shows by his example what it means to see and ignite the best in people:

"Washington had a talent for bringing powerful, conflicting points of view into harmony. For example, such opposing characters as Jefferson and Hamilton could have split the nation into pieces, but realizing how badly the country needed both men, Washington labored successfully for cooperation and peace. Adopting Hamilton's fiscal policies, the President was able to place the federal government on a sound footing. And Jefferson's tremendous reasoning, writing and speaking talents were equally useful in helping to shape the infant government."

I re-read this story the other day and it has stayed with me since. I've realized as I've taken in its lesson that at this time in history, we are seeing new signs of a new generation of leadership blossoming in a way that demonstrates these qualities in action. What is notable isn't that the qualities of the individual shine. It is that when these qualities in a leader are present and connected to others, everyone shines.

In a moment of synchronicity, someone sent me a longer version of the Black Eyed Peas "Yes We Can" Obama Song than I had seen before. As I watched it again, it struck me that the Light came through not from one individual's call to action, but from the dimensions of differences inspired enough to sing their own note in response. Click HERE to watch.

Regardless of your political affiliation, the images of us feeling a sense of power in our own contributions makes my heart feel good inside. It lifts one up to see a new set of possibilities that rest in our hands.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com

  http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com

Comments

[Xuan Feng]

I utterly agree with this point.
The good leader knows well how to motivate people,find out their potentials and make them work out!

Shiny

[Debbe Kennedy]

Dear Shiny,

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I really enjoyed your perspective. Tell me more.

What do you think are the big motivators for people? How would you suggest leaders discover the real potential in people? What works for you?

Debbe