relational leadership

A flippant, frivolous person may ridicule others, may controvert (fall out from them, argue against, and bicker with) them, scorn them; but he who has any respect for himself seems to have renounced the right of thinking meanly of others. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I miss some of the old values. That of charity, respect, dignity, honor... the things Goethe refers to in both the quotes that I share.

I have to admit, I cannot watch the presidential debates. Notice the language Goethe uses (thinking meanly of others). Attacking, vilifying, mocking, slandering, accusing, despising, cursing... rude interruptions, utter disregard for the basic rules of civil discourse... 

Leadership Lesson 01:
You Can Make a Difference as a Role Model

Kouzes and Posner have spent years studying leadership through research, surveys, and interviews. One of the questions they asked people was about their role models. Who were the role models that influenced us for leadership? The chart above is reproduced from their book, The Truth About Leadership, page 9.

There are some striking facts in this chart.

First, notice who the people are that we turn to as role models for leadership. They are the people who are closest to us. The ones with whom we do life. The people who are positioned to impact us up close with their character, values, wisdom, stories and relationship.