There’s a bumper sticker that tells us to “Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way.”
I’ve been pondering lately on what it is that makes a leader. That’s never been a goal of mine; I’m more of a follower, and often decide to sit on the sidelines out of the way, until I see what direction the crowd is headed.
Most of us think of leaders as elected officials, people in positions of authority, or at least someone who is well liked, and willing to work for the common good.
Of course, there are other kinds, gang leaders, bosses of the underworld, and such, but when we hear the word, “leader” most of us picture someone who is in the public eye, and fosters progress. But the best leaders often stay in the background and don’t even think of themselves that way.
I’ve heard of a man who gathers up discarded bicycles and repairs them, then gives them away to kids who might not ever be able to have one otherwise. I don’t think he makes a big deal about it; the service is mostly word of mouth.
Recently, there was a letter of appreciation in a small-town newspaper, signed by high school students on behalf of the football team. New lights for the football field were installed this summer and the team wanted to thank individual donors, the taxpayers, the workers, and businesses that made the improvement possible. Sounds like leadership to me.
How many of us take time to thank the parents who serve as 4-H leaders, Sunday School teachers, coaches, or organizers of youth activities? What about the woman who always sends cards to people who are shut in?
It doesn’t take much to get followers. When I was active in ranching, I noticed that my language went south when working the chute with people who hollered and cussed a lot. The cattle responded in kind, and nobody was having fun.
One of the trends I find most disturbing is that politicians and pundits are catching the potty mouth. Words that I’d have gotten my mouth washed out for are common on the nightly talk shows. Government officials indulge in name calling and disrespectful discourse, and then wonder why our society has degenerated into violent demonstrations.
Maybe too many of us have decided to sit this out—get out of the way, when we ought to be leading by quiet example, or making our disapproval known. I can remember a time when inappropriate language on the playground brought immediate and unpleasant consequences at school, and again at home. I guess you’d have to say that most of the adults in our world were pretty good leaders.
First amendment rights are important, but we are drowning in ear pollution. We need more people like the quiet repair guy and the grateful students. Get in line, those folks are worth following.