Guest guest Posted July 29, 2007 Report Share Posted July 29, 2007 Thanks for the definitions - it helps, although I would say the definitions you gave were for good leaders. I don't recall any examples of good leaders in my life - so it is hard for me to really know what a 'good' leader looks like. I have seen good people in my life and even some that guide, but as for fitting the definition of leader I don't think I have had such an example. I suppose my view of a leader is that such are human and often corrupt, hence being reluctant to consider someone a leader, as many leaders are far from the good kind. > > > In a message dated 7/27/2007 6:36:24 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > julie.stevenson16@... writes: > > I personally do not consider Raven or you leaders and that btw is not > an insult or a bad thing. You run this group and I see you guide - I > also consider you both good people. > > Perhaps I am confused as to the meaning of 'leader' someone who leads > people I guess? I guess I haven't idolized people in my life and > often those that are put up on peda-stools(often those th > > > > > > The One-Minute Philosopher defines a leader as: One who shows others the > right way. > > A leader sees what ought to be done, organizes the community to get it done > and sets a moral standard for the community by practicing what she preaches. A > leader is concerned primarily that all her actions be good for the > community, not whether they will be popular. Thus, leadership is centered on a concern > for others rather than for ourselves. > > Leadership requires both vision and practical expertise. If I am to be a > good leader, I must have a good plan for the community: I must also be > intelligent and experienced enough to be able to bring it to fruition. I must be > practical enough to know what can reasonably be accomplished, and I must be a good > motivator of people in order to get the cooperation necessary for success. > > The captain of a sports team who demands a lot but also inspires other by > working hard himself shows leadership. The older child who helps guide her > younger siblings by word and deed shots leadership. The class president who sets > an agenda of academic excellence and community service and who is able to > communicate the importance of these to her classmates is a good leader. > Leadership is exemplified by the government official who thoughtfully proposes and > consistently applies fair policies for all. > > Ask yourself: > > Is my action aimed at the good of the community? Do I do what I recommend > that others do? If so, I am showing leadership. > > " No ruler, insofar as he is a ruler, seeks what is to his own advantage or > orders it, but that which is to the advantage of his subject who is the concern > of his craft; this he keeps in view; all his words and actions are directed > to this end. " Plato, The Republic, Bk 1, 342e. > > ---- > > I would add to that: a leader is someone who takes charge in a situation, or > establishes order in chaos, with the benefit of the group in mind, though it > is possible that the leader will also benefit. For example: a leader might > arise to lead a group of people out of a building. The fact that the leader > also benefits should not count against them, because they could have just run > out and not put themselves at risk by helping the others. > > This I would contrast with a commander or " boss. " Those are people assigned > authority in a hierarchical system and may or may not also be leaders. I'm > sure we have all known bosses that could lead hungry wolves to fresh meat, let > alone lead people. > > > > > > ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all- new AOL at > http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 In a message dated 7/30/2007 12:00:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, mnmimi@... writes: This sounds like what moses faced in the desert. When he delivered the Isrealites he stayed in the now vacant desert (maybe he was an aspie) There is also Christ (he was done in by his group) At some point you may want to walk off into the desert (maybe we need 10 commandments) Leadership isn't easy, and a lot depends on the group. If you have a group that is fairly unified, aiming for the same goal and cares about other members, it shouldn't be too bad. But if you have a bunch of troublemakers who care only about themselves and have no unit cohesion, then you can pretty much forget about it. There are also those people who can be talked to and negotiated with, which does not mean that they are easy to lead. Mot people you have to prove yourself to, which typically means being competent and honest. Then there are those who are more physical, who you have to forcefully dominate. Those people are the worst because they will be constantly testing and pushing, trying to bull their way to number one. Temptation is also a problem. It is easy to let the power go to your head, especially if you forget the attendant responsibility. The Romans realized this in that general who were successful in a war might come back and take over because the army was behind them and the people would be ecstatic enough over the victory not to care. So, they handled it by having a slave ride in the victorious general's chariot as he was on procession in Rome. The slave would whisper in his ear over and over, "Sic transit gloria" (remember, glory is temporary).The meaning? A general, or anyone, could fall from favor as quickly as they gained it. There were a few good emperors, but we rarely hear about them. Julius Caesar was one in that he established the Empire from the Republic as it was rotting from within. A couple of others, who sadly I can't remember the names of right now, attempted real reforms regarding taxes, slavery, industry, etc., but we hear little about them because they were all unseated or murdered by the elites who feared for their position. Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 In a message dated 7/30/2007 12:00:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, mnmimi@... writes: This sounds like what moses faced in the desert. When he delivered the Isrealites he stayed in the now vacant desert (maybe he was an aspie) There is also Christ (he was done in by his group) At some point you may want to walk off into the desert (maybe we need 10 commandments) Leadership isn't easy, and a lot depends on the group. If you have a group that is fairly unified, aiming for the same goal and cares about other members, it shouldn't be too bad. But if you have a bunch of troublemakers who care only about themselves and have no unit cohesion, then you can pretty much forget about it. There are also those people who can be talked to and negotiated with, which does not mean that they are easy to lead. Mot people you have to prove yourself to, which typically means being competent and honest. Then there are those who are more physical, who you have to forcefully dominate. Those people are the worst because they will be constantly testing and pushing, trying to bull their way to number one. Temptation is also a problem. It is easy to let the power go to your head, especially if you forget the attendant responsibility. The Romans realized this in that general who were successful in a war might come back and take over because the army was behind them and the people would be ecstatic enough over the victory not to care. So, they handled it by having a slave ride in the victorious general's chariot as he was on procession in Rome. The slave would whisper in his ear over and over, "Sic transit gloria" (remember, glory is temporary).The meaning? A general, or anyone, could fall from favor as quickly as they gained it. There were a few good emperors, but we rarely hear about them. Julius Caesar was one in that he established the Empire from the Republic as it was rotting from within. A couple of others, who sadly I can't remember the names of right now, attempted real reforms regarding taxes, slavery, industry, etc., but we hear little about them because they were all unseated or murdered by the elites who feared for their position. Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 In a message dated 7/30/2007 12:46:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, mnmimi@... writes: I think that is interesting as people placed on pedestals do fall because the people that place them there pul their own expectations on that person. Yes they do, and falling off is very easy to do. I think that is part of the problem with today's society: we are so cynical that we like to knock people from their pedestals. I see this as a real problems when we tear down those heroes from our past, like the Founding Fathers, the explorers and others. It is true that their beliefs and views were different from ours today, but what is important is that they were strong enough to do what they did for the betterment of the country. I'm sure all of them would be appalled by today's "culture." Today we idolize people that are far from worthy. There are TV shows, magazines and even whole broadcast channels dedicated to these false idols. I talking about the entertainment stars and athletes. Now, that might not be so bad IF we actually held up the good ones as examples. What about the Hollywood "good girls" who are staying clean and out of trouble, but no one ever hears about? What about the pro athletes who don't use steroids, don't party hardy, who don't go to dog fights? You never hear about any of those people, just the trash, and even then the trash is held up as a sort of standard for people to imitate. Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 In a message dated 7/30/2007 12:46:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, mnmimi@... writes: I think that is interesting as people placed on pedestals do fall because the people that place them there pul their own expectations on that person. Yes they do, and falling off is very easy to do. I think that is part of the problem with today's society: we are so cynical that we like to knock people from their pedestals. I see this as a real problems when we tear down those heroes from our past, like the Founding Fathers, the explorers and others. It is true that their beliefs and views were different from ours today, but what is important is that they were strong enough to do what they did for the betterment of the country. I'm sure all of them would be appalled by today's "culture." Today we idolize people that are far from worthy. There are TV shows, magazines and even whole broadcast channels dedicated to these false idols. I talking about the entertainment stars and athletes. Now, that might not be so bad IF we actually held up the good ones as examples. What about the Hollywood "good girls" who are staying clean and out of trouble, but no one ever hears about? What about the pro athletes who don't use steroids, don't party hardy, who don't go to dog fights? You never hear about any of those people, just the trash, and even then the trash is held up as a sort of standard for people to imitate. Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 > we hear little about them because they were all unseated or murdered by the > elites who feared for their position. > > > hmm we seem to only evolve in our sophistication of subverting goodness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 > we hear little about them because they were all unseated or murdered by the > elites who feared for their position. > > > hmm we seem to only evolve in our sophistication of subverting goodness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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