VIII: Follow the Leader
With respect, whom are we observing and following in 2016 and 2017?
AlaVetNet. American Bar Association. American Medical Association. Cascade Center for Universal Governance. Center for Disease Control. Columbia International University. Convene. Gallup Corporation. Greater Peace Youth Leadership Academy. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Innovative Leadership Solutions. Institute for Communitarian Studies (George Washington University). James Leach. JEM Leadership Ministries. Johns Hopkins Civility Initiative. Leadership & Civility Initiative. Leadership & Civility Solutions. LTG Hal Moore Youth Leadership Academy for Honor. MG George Bowman. MyVa-Operation Entrust. National Center for Organization Development. National Civility Network. National Institute for Civil Discourse (University of Arizona). National Park Service. Neighborhood Associates. Servant leadership Institute. Serve Alabama. Social Science Research Council. Southwest Airlines. Starbucks. Still Serving Veterans. The Civility School. Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Scott Bridge Company. Troy University (Servant Leadership Development). Venture Growth Alliance.
When is the last time you actually played “Follow the Leader? The leader moves, and then – you move. The leader laughs, and then - you laugh. The leader jumps, and then – you jump. Well, the NLC has chosen to follow special leaders who do what they do – for civility, respect, engagement and faith.
It is what servant leaders do! First they follow. Then they learn. Then they do. We have been following select local, state and national servant leaders. We believe that such a way in working our cause – The Exchange – is habit-forming.
In the process of building our Community of Practice, we actually became “cheerleaders” for them. With every score, we jumped and hollered. We waived our arms and high-fived them when they returned to the sidelines. It is what servant-leaders do!
The learning curve is steep when it comes to being a servant leader. “Selfless” must take the front seat and “selfish” belongs in the backseat. That is hard stuff. We are growing as we observe selected persons, causes and organizations as we play “Follow the Leader.”
Please appreciate our menu of leaders to follow. Some do not even know who we are. That is not important. Some are the dearest of trusted relationships. That is important! It might be a call, or a text, or a face to face learning session, or a retreat together, or reading a book written, or sitting in an audience as they present. In all cases, we are closely following certain leaders as they lead. By the way, we highly recommend our menu for being devoted servant leaders.
Think about it! A little bit here and there. One leader here and many leaders there. For it is the sum of the total which is challenging our every thought, every action. We will be delighted to share why we are following who we are following, but you had better be ready when you ask.
Following the leader is not for the faint of heart!