What Makes a Good Leader?
When you think of a leader what do you think of? Is it your boss? Your teacher? The government and politicians? If you think back on different leaders who have been part of your life you have probably come across some very good ones who you loved and would do anything for. On the opposite end you have also probably had a few that you wish you never had met and probably have some PTSD from being under their command.
Leadership comes in all shapes and sizes. We can see leadership skills in every age group and in every community. There are leaders in your jobs in your community associations, in your child’s sports organizations, the list could go on and on. Leadership plays an important role in our experiences and can literally make or break someones experience.
Some leaders are self serving, these leaders are generally toxic to the community or group that they lead. Leaders who lead like this can be very difficult to deal with.
Good leaders lead with kindness, compassion and empathy. They are able to hear both sides of a disagreement and have compassion for others. They actually have listening skills. Not just listening to respond but listening to understand others point of view whether they agree with it or not. Good leaders are able to admit when they have made a mistake and apologize.
As I continue to watch what is going on in Canada, a country that was once strong and free. I am deeply concerned by the direction leaders have taken through the pandemic. There has been a complete lack of compassion for people, the lack of doing thorough research and hearing from experts on all sides from all specialties.
No matter what your views are on the issues, leaders should be able to sit down, discuss and brainstorm solutions to conflicting sides. Even in elementary school, staff strive to sit down with children, hear both sides and discuss possible solutions for all people involved. Why can we not take a lesson from elementary school and listen to both sides and brainstorm solutions together?
As we navigate the tense division in our society we are going to need leaders in all walks of life to support people to come together in unity rather than divide us further. Humanity needs leaders from all walks of life to help support all of us navigate the fear and hate that has been promoted over the last two years.
I hope that people start to stand up and spread love, compassion and kindness to all. Only through kindness, compassion and love will we get through this and create a better tomorrow for the next generation and generations to come.
Some First Nations groups look 7 generations in the past and 7 generations ahead. They look to the past in order to not repeat it and to the future to provide a positive path for their future generations. What type of world do you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in? If it is not what you are seeing today what can you do to shift things? We all have leadership qualities inside of us, if we all step into that power how could we shift the world for a better tomorrow?
