In this illustration, I will akin the leaders of an organization to the captain of a ship. When a ship sets sail, the captain must review with the crew the destination of the voyage so that each crew member can perform his or her duties with the greatest efficiency. They must know how long they expect to be at sea so that a sufficient supply of food, water, fuel, and other necessary provisions will be available. They must check the weather forecasts to determine as accurately as possible what climatic changes might be anticipated.

The same is true for leaders in organizations. The leader must have and be able to share the vision so that all involved know in which direction the organization is headed. The environment must constantly be monitored to allow for flexibility when changes are necessary. Goals, objectives, and target dates must be set in order to monitor and measure progress. Just as the captain oversees and insures a safe voyage of the ship, it is the leader who oversees and insures the successful operation of the organization.

Leave soldiers inside the barracks with no time on the front line and see what happens to their attitudes. The soldiers will invent things to complain about. Bunks will be too hard. Food will be too cold. Leadership will be too tough. Yet place those same soldiers in the trench and let them duck a few bullets, and what was a boring barracks will suddenly seem like a haven. The food will be great. The bunks will be soft. The leadership will be courageous.

When leaders lead, coach, allow their people to participate and grow, and monitor, evaluate, and provide honest feedback about their followers' performance their people flourish. But when leaders fail to lead, their followers fight.

Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.

Anonymous

"Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led. Leadership is the ability to translate vision into reality."

--Warren G. Bennis

"The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority."

--Kenneth Blanchard

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Warmest regards,

Donna Taylor-Williams
President/Senior Associate
Human Capital Developers