Today is lesson five 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 writes 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 1-4 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.
4. Leaders must play offense not defense the majority of the time.
And, Lesson Five, according to Elmore . . .
5. Leaders must connect with ordinary people.
This one is a lesson from both candidates. People want to see the humanity of their leader. They want to experience a connection with him or her. They want to feel he understands us. They want to believe the leader can identify with them-like the neighbor next door. John McCain did this by talking about his P.O.W. experience in Vietnam. He was a hero, but he was a human who struggled and suffered in his past. Barak Obama did this by talking about his boyhood years, being raised by a single mom and his grandparents - - not a wealthy, nuclear family. And he's from a minority race. People are impressed with a leader's achievements, but they identify with a leader's struggles.
Of course, the supreme example we have of the reality of this lesson is Jesus. Remember, he showed no preference or favoritism in whom he ministered to: sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, along with esteemed religious leaders like Nicodemous. Indeed, leaders connect with people of all sorts, if there is no such connection, there is really no leadership.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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