The leadership quote I want to talk about in this post is from John Gardener, the late founding chair of Independent Sector, and is as follows: “The prime function of a leader is to keep hope alive.”
Although I am not sure that this is “the” prime function of a leader it certainly is “a” prime function. When I think about some of the great leaders through the years, so many were great because of the calamitous times they helped to overcome, during which they indeed helped to “keep hope alive.” In that regard, I absolutely agree … when there is calamity there is a need for leaders to rise to the occasion and inspire confidence that all will be well.
Most leaders I have known or have witnessed are able to do this innately. If they harbor fear or indecisiveness, they do not show it. They examine the hand they were dealt, they analyze the data, and they make informed decisions … as if those decisions carried the same weight as any other they might make. And then they inspire us to believe in those decisions.
That is a trait that some simply cannot evolve. When things get ugly, some become overwhelmed by the weight of the decisions that need to be made … and the potential consequences of those decisions. This sort of threshold event is more or less a gateway through which only true leaders emerge. There are other character-gateways to be sure, but I do agree with Gardener that keeping a positive face under pressure and inspiring hope in the process is a critical function of a leader.
Barbara Kellerman, mentioned in a previous post, provided a similar quote in saying that “almost without exception, America’s most popular leaders have personified this sense of possibility.” When the chips are down, most of us look for someone who can inspire us to see a better tomorrow. For those of us not too thoroughly invested in a political party, this is probably a driver when it comes to casting our election ballots. We invest in those leaders whom we feel can get us to the promised land … who can keep hope alive … who can keep us focused on the possibility of something better.
Author Cross-references:
John gardener: None
Barbara Kellerman: Also see post 12/16/08
Key Word Cross-references:
Character/Integrity: Also see posts 2/6/09, 3/16/09, 5/1/09, 6/5/09, 8/17/09, 11/1/09, 12/5/09
Hope: Also see post 2/25/09
Inspiration/Motivation: Also see posts 1/16/09, 2/18/09, 2/25/09, 5/17/09, 6/5/09, 6/26/09, 9/9/09, 2/18/10, 2/24/10, 4/19/10
Tags: Leadership
on Leadership ... by Steven Davis, CAE 
April 27, 2009 at 4:31 pm |
I agree that a prime function of leadership is in giving “hope”. What separates a leader from a cheerleader is that a true leader backs his/her inspiration for hope with action. Aside from the obvious, this is important on multiple levels. First, it bestows confidence that the words are not hollow and that the next challenge will be met with the same faith. In other words it pays forward hope for the next issue. Second, it promotes modeling of attitude that allows all those who follow to adopt such a perspective. And third, it inspires leaders of tomorrow. I’m certain that it does a great deal more.
It is true that it is the leaders’ ability to think quickly on their feet in face of a challenge that makes them. I would much rather follow the guide of a leader that can be decisive even if he/she may be wrong at times than one that is paralyzed or even blinks in the face of crisis.
April 30, 2009 at 4:52 pm |
Miki,
Thank you for your excellent comments on my 2/3/09 blog specific to John Gardener’s statement that “The prime function of a leader is to keep hope alive.” And, I appreciate your mention that the subsequent taking of action separates the leader from the cheerleader. This is a critical point. A cheerleader can gain a following, but that following will ultimately fade in the absence of results. Leaders follow inspiration with action. Leaders walk the talk and set the example in the process, as you pointed out in your comments.
You also shared that you “would much rather follow the guide of a leader that can be decisive even if he/she may be wrong at times than one that is paralyzed or even blinks in the face of crisis.” I suspect that most people would share your outlook and be fully willing to embrace this level of chance-taking over fence-sitting. We all want to achieve success, and success seldom emanates out of indecisiveness.
And when the decisions-made result in failure, which absolutely every leader experiences at one time or another, leaders learn from those mistakes and move on … adjusting their course as they go along.
As I said, excellent comments, Miki.
Steven