Choosing our leaders.
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
April 11, 2010 7:25am CST
When we recognize someone as a leader, we often place our faith in that person to a degree that exceeds what is humanly possible. In other words, we expect them to be beyond fault and to not make mistakes. This, of course, is neither realistic nor fair. Just like us, these people are living human lives, and part of the deal is learning through experience. There will always be missteps and things they would do differently given a second chance. If we are to be fair, we must grant our leaders the same forgiveness, compassion, and understanding that we grant our closest friends.
Leaders are special people in that they have the ability to guide and represent large groups of people. In this calling, they agree, to some degree, to be responsible for the well-being of others. Because of this, we hold them up to a higher standard of behavior, and in some ways this is fair. However, we will only be disappointed and disillusioned time and time again if we expect them to be perfect. If they were perfect, they would not be here on earth. Perhaps the most we can expect of our leaders is that they make it a practice to acknowledge their shortcomings and learn from their experiences. Beyond this, when our leaders let us down, it is up to us to forgive and move on. Do you agree?
3 responses
@amorlife1 (370)
• South Africa
23 Apr 10
I agree with the previous Lotters. One of the most important quality of a good leader is being able to gather feedback from their followers and knowing what to do with the feedback. Without feedback, it is impossible to know when you are doing something right or something wrong. And if you are doing something wrong, you won't change it if you don't get feedback that it is wrong. Likewise when you are doing something right, you won't keep at it or improve on it if you don't get feedback.
On the other side of the coin, the people following the leader will feel appreciated, relevant and important if they are given the opportunity to give feedback to their leader, especially if they know that the leader will do something constructive with their feedback.
And of course, followers are more sympathetic to their leaders if they realize that they are only human just like them. If a leader chooses to be arrogant, his leaders will respond by (subconsciously) trying to bring him down to earth. If a leader humbles himself before his followers, they will respond by lifting him up... that's just the way it is.
1 person likes this
@Carpathian (582)
• United States
12 Apr 10
I think if you are a leader then you are teaching ppl right? Well, then as a leader you should not only teach ppl something but all things. What I mean to say is that as a leader you should be able to ask for forgiveness and deal with the answer. Because, ppl who see a leader take the responsibility of their mistakes is showing ppl that it is OK. to make a mistake and ask for forgiveness you are only human. So, yes, I think I would be happy with a leader that can admit that he is human and can make mistakes and learn from them.
*Peace and Love get's you through everything in Life*
1 person likes this
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
11 Apr 10
That is true. We must learn how to forgive but the also have to learn how to ask forgiveness. Most leaders out there won't accept their mistakes and even act as if they haven't made any. I don'T like arrogant leaders who's like this.
1 person likes this
