98ZJ4X4
11-20-2009, 09:41 AM
What do you think makes a good leader? What should be the role of the leader and what exactly do you think it is they should do?..I think all too often a person with good intentions offers themselves for the position of a leader without actually understanding what it means to be a leader. I think often times said person really wants to join a club or be accepted into a group but just isn't a leader.
What do you all think?
I really think this question should have been posted here, so I copied it and I will post my response here, because I believe it is much more relevant here then at NWW.
What is a Leader? Good Question, many answers!!
1. So much of what is termed Good Leadership is context based and that is why there are many answers to the question of “what is a Leader”.
2. Because of the location where this question was posed, I feel it is safe to assume the question relates to RTW and the ORV Community so I will give my view with that as the venue.
3. “Lead by Example” While this is a good thing sometimes, it is not the whole answer or even the correct answer in some cases.
(a) There are many Leaders that set bad examples and have many followers. No I will not list any examples, I think you all have seen them and know what I mean.
(b) To lead by Example, takes more them just a persons actions in a given setting, it has to be an across the board type of thing or the “Leader” will be seen as a hypocrite, which defeats the whole principle and sets a bad example.
4. “Dedication” Again a good thing, it is still not the whole answer, but coupled with “Leading by Example” is getting closer to the whole answer.
(a) All leaders need to be dedicated to the cause they are leading, but dedication alone will never be enough, as many very dedicated people are really just followers not Leaders.
(b) You not only have to be dedicated, you also need a goal to strive towards, and a good leader will also have a vision on how to achieve that goal.
(c) There are in the context we are addressing here also many dedicated people who have a total different vision and goal. A good leader has to be able to see that and see ways to work with and around those dedicated people.
5. “Sharing” Yes I said sharing! A good leader has to be able to share his vision, goals, ambitions, and his dreams with others. At the same time a good leader is encouraging others to share their vision, goals, ambitions and dreams with him or her and merge them all together for the greater good.
There has never been or ever will be a good leader at anything that is not willing to share and adapt to changing visions and goals. If you vision and goals remain static, they will rot over time and be worthless and good leaders prevent this.
6. Good Leaders are opinionated, but not closed to others opinions as that is what sharpens and hones the visions and goals that are being pursued.
7. Good Leaders do not take part in petty bickering and name calling, but stand aside and look to see what the root cause may be, and then finding ways to correct or overcome those root causes.
8. Good Leaders do not allow personal feeling towards others influence their actions. They have to recognize that everyone does not have the same vision, view, goals and or ambition, but can bring them all together in a state of unity to achieve the greater good for all.
9. A good leader is big enough to put their own personal views aside, and work for the greater good of all. This includes stepping aside when this would move the group/organization closer to its vision and goals.
Keep in mind that Visions and Goals are ever changing just as the weather is or rot sets in and all is lost.
I could maybe with effort go one spelling out my views on Leadership, but I think this is a good start and I will stop here and hope that this is food for thought for some.
Now I will pose my own question, and provide my answer, which I am sure is different from yours the reader of this post.
Question: Does RTW as an Organization have good leadership?
My Answer: No it does not. It has some leaders, but not what I would call good leaders. They are too narrow in their vision, or in other words have tunnel vision and cannot see the forest for the trees.
There are some very dedicated people involved with RTW, and some with strong leadership potential, but it is not being exploited or nurtured as it could be by a good leader.
RTW in my view needs a leader with a wider vision then is currently present, and no I do not have any suggestions as to who that could be, but if the current leadership will continue to woo and go after the various users groups, including 4x4 clubs as well as Bike and Quad Groups, then a good leader for RTW may mineralize and take RTW to the next level and beyond.
What do you all think?
I really think this question should have been posted here, so I copied it and I will post my response here, because I believe it is much more relevant here then at NWW.
What is a Leader? Good Question, many answers!!
1. So much of what is termed Good Leadership is context based and that is why there are many answers to the question of “what is a Leader”.
2. Because of the location where this question was posed, I feel it is safe to assume the question relates to RTW and the ORV Community so I will give my view with that as the venue.
3. “Lead by Example” While this is a good thing sometimes, it is not the whole answer or even the correct answer in some cases.
(a) There are many Leaders that set bad examples and have many followers. No I will not list any examples, I think you all have seen them and know what I mean.
(b) To lead by Example, takes more them just a persons actions in a given setting, it has to be an across the board type of thing or the “Leader” will be seen as a hypocrite, which defeats the whole principle and sets a bad example.
4. “Dedication” Again a good thing, it is still not the whole answer, but coupled with “Leading by Example” is getting closer to the whole answer.
(a) All leaders need to be dedicated to the cause they are leading, but dedication alone will never be enough, as many very dedicated people are really just followers not Leaders.
(b) You not only have to be dedicated, you also need a goal to strive towards, and a good leader will also have a vision on how to achieve that goal.
(c) There are in the context we are addressing here also many dedicated people who have a total different vision and goal. A good leader has to be able to see that and see ways to work with and around those dedicated people.
5. “Sharing” Yes I said sharing! A good leader has to be able to share his vision, goals, ambitions, and his dreams with others. At the same time a good leader is encouraging others to share their vision, goals, ambitions and dreams with him or her and merge them all together for the greater good.
There has never been or ever will be a good leader at anything that is not willing to share and adapt to changing visions and goals. If you vision and goals remain static, they will rot over time and be worthless and good leaders prevent this.
6. Good Leaders are opinionated, but not closed to others opinions as that is what sharpens and hones the visions and goals that are being pursued.
7. Good Leaders do not take part in petty bickering and name calling, but stand aside and look to see what the root cause may be, and then finding ways to correct or overcome those root causes.
8. Good Leaders do not allow personal feeling towards others influence their actions. They have to recognize that everyone does not have the same vision, view, goals and or ambition, but can bring them all together in a state of unity to achieve the greater good for all.
9. A good leader is big enough to put their own personal views aside, and work for the greater good of all. This includes stepping aside when this would move the group/organization closer to its vision and goals.
Keep in mind that Visions and Goals are ever changing just as the weather is or rot sets in and all is lost.
I could maybe with effort go one spelling out my views on Leadership, but I think this is a good start and I will stop here and hope that this is food for thought for some.
Now I will pose my own question, and provide my answer, which I am sure is different from yours the reader of this post.
Question: Does RTW as an Organization have good leadership?
My Answer: No it does not. It has some leaders, but not what I would call good leaders. They are too narrow in their vision, or in other words have tunnel vision and cannot see the forest for the trees.
There are some very dedicated people involved with RTW, and some with strong leadership potential, but it is not being exploited or nurtured as it could be by a good leader.
RTW in my view needs a leader with a wider vision then is currently present, and no I do not have any suggestions as to who that could be, but if the current leadership will continue to woo and go after the various users groups, including 4x4 clubs as well as Bike and Quad Groups, then a good leader for RTW may mineralize and take RTW to the next level and beyond.