Leadership Development is an Important Mission of Rotary
by Phil G.Busey, Sr.
We set the bar high for leadership and leadership development at DRG, much like other top organizations. We understand the critical need to support, guide, and develop those who aspire to lead within our teams. The demands of our work and the pursuit of excellence require nothing less.
As Rotarians we have the same responsibilities. Education is a significant priority with opportunities to be readily available for all students. Our economic and societal successes depend on providing a first class education for all students regardless of economic background, race, religion, persuasion , or culture. We are all Oklahomans. We are all Americans.
This is an essential to our mission as Rotarians. An important part of our Rotarian mission statement is to:
“… provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace.”
This is why we, along with others, must emphasize continuous leadership development. In today’s world we need critical thinkers, people who are prepared to adapt, accept change, confident in decisions, open minded , flexible and accepting of other’s views and with a willingness to compromise. All shaped by integrity in character.
Leadership has been a subject of discussion for centuries. Despite efforts to encapsulate its essence in a single statement, manual, or thesis, leadership remains more subjective than objective and difficult to fully define.
Even Aristotle offered guidance on effective leadership, emphasizing that a true leader inspires those they lead to realize and reach their full potential. The core of leadership is the ability to inspire.
We recognize true leadership when we see it in action. We can identify the qualities that define effective leadership, and we are equally aware of poor leadership when we experience it. Simply claiming to be a leader does not make you one.
Becoming an effective leader requires study and observation of seasoned leaders around you, learning from how they lead. Leadership is fundamentally relational. An effective leader understands the people they lead and knows that the success of the organization is tied to those individuals.
Leadership development is essential in today’s business, political, military, and nonprofit sectors. It should be part of any organization’s culture. An organization’s success or failure can hinge on the quality of those selected, appointed, hired, or elected to lead. An important objective is inspiring others to aspire to lead.
As Rotarians we are a blend of businessmen and women across industries, non-profits, education and organizations. This gives us a unique platform to work together in creating opportunities for leadership development. As experienced leaders we are the sum of our life experiences. We cannot truly be influential leaders without understanding adversity and overcoming failures. Sharing collective experiences, we can come together to create ways to mentor, influence and bring leadership development to our next generations.
In today’s world, developing leaders who are passionate about the organization they are to serve, energetic, and ready to bring fresh ideas and a clear vision is crucial. A strong leader empowers their team, recognizing that they cannot succeed alone. They must be willing to work alongside their team, fostering collaboration and mutual respect. Leaders should motivate rather than order, always recognizing the value of their people. When expectations are inconsistent, or leaders place themselves above these standards, trust and respect are lost permanently. Who better to emphasis the values of integrity in leadership than Rotarians.
There are numerous definitions of leadership, and what makes a great leader can vary depending on perspective. Defining leadership is subjective, and distinguishing between a leader and a manager can be challenging. However, there is a key difference. A leader establishes a vision, sees the big picture, and inspires their team to achieve it.
The sum qualities of a leader are recognizable through a character based upon principled values, and inclusive of courage and confidence but tempered by humility, empathy and integrity.
Rotary is a sum of the qualities of good leadership. We can be a catalyst for assisting in developing these qualities through educational outreach, mentoring and emphasizing the importance of leadership development in schools and business.