Today I continue my discussion from Tim Elmore’s idea of the leadership lessons from the Presidential elections. (Lessons I Learned From the Election, Tim Elmore http://www.growingleaders.com/.)
Elmore wrote in his introduction: “Now that it's all over, and the dust has settled, I have reflected on lessons we can learn from this historic campaign. What did the whole thing teach us about leadership and about people? Let me suggest these insights for you to discuss with your team."
Lessons 1-3 include:
1. Leaders must inspire people before they challenge people.
2. Leaders must build a brand that creates a tribe.
3. Leaders must communicate in an authentic and a fresh fashion.
And, Lesson Four . . .
4. Leaders must play offense not defense the majority of the time.
“This one is subtle but very real. Although John McCain had some noble ideas, it appeared to me as if he was constantly playing defense. As Obama attacked his associations with the Bush administration, McCain was always defending himself. I'm not suggesting he said anything wrong, but that he projected the feel of: "I'm playing defense." He beckoned people to defend him. This is not magnetic to followers. To me, it seemed Barak Obama was able to play off of the "Bush Haters" in America. Frankly, it's easy to convince people not to like something. What he was able to do, however, was to play offense. People follow a leader who plays offense more quickly than one who plays defense. This is why Martin Luther King Jr. had a larger following than Jesse Jackson.”
As I think about what Elmore is saying here, it does strike an intuitive cord. Essentially, being positive and forward looking is more attractive than being negative and defensive. Nehemiah exemplified this in his challenge to the people of Jerusalem to get behind the wall rebuilding project (Nehemiah 2). He could have focused on all the troubles they had had since the destruction of the city and the deportation of its people; rather, he choose to appeal to their hope and trust in God. No doubt, he could not ignore what had happened, but his real appeal was to their confidence in God’s faithfulness (Neh. 2:17-20).
Indeed, people want leaders who will paint a positive and hopeful picture of the future; and as in the case of Nehemiah, a positive and confident picture of what God will do in us and through us in that future.You can learn more about Growing Leaders and sign-up for their monthly newsletter at: Growing Leaders Newsletter
Blessings
3 John 8
Bill H
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