If leadership desires something different, they must do something different. Saying “same ole thing just different day” does not describe one’s day, but rather it describes a person’s attitude toward it. My life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. In a position of influence, I cannot fall into the immature trap of blaming those below me for my ineffectiveness wrapped secretly in my insecurities. I must be the change I want to see in others, policy, and general mood of those who call me leader.

Citizens need to see a leader(s) unyielding commitment to principles but flexible in one’s approach. Though i do not compromise my principles I still have a job of bringing people together which requires me to be flexible in galvanizing the focus and energy of all. Tact is often missing in the ingredients of effective leadership. We often look at compromise as weakness but many times we must  employ tact which is the ability to assert your ideas or opinions without damaging the relationship by causing offense. In other words knowing what to say and how to say it in a way that is not overbearing and turning off the cooperation from others.

Isaac Newton said “Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.”

Leaders cannot be governed by time frames and schedules, but by responsibility. What am I saying? We can’t be captive to present circumstances and held hostage and controlled as puppets by them. Begin to look at adverse circumstances as a process that challenges our dormant leadership skills to surface and exemplify the very reason why we are in leadership. Winston Churchill always was a great leader but no one would have known unless an adversity called the German Luftwaffe surfaced the hidden skills of leading people to heights unknown to themselves.

The world needs changed and the back of responsible leadership is what will carry it.

Leading at another level means paying more attention to the details of one’s character than charisma.

Dr. Reuben Egolf