True leadership

The overall theme I felt in this week's readings was about becoming a good leader. The address given by Kim Clark was very clear cut and simple: lead with a "small l." Basically there are three attributes to develop to master small l leadership. First is be a good example. We are to work to be more like the Savior, who was the perfect, ultimate example, and He tells us to "Follow Him" after he showed us by example, the way we need to be. He knew that to be a good leader is not to simply direct others to do something, but to FIRST be a good example, and people will naturally follow you. Second, we must have and maintain a vision. We cannot expect people to work towards something of which they are unaware. It is the leader's responsibility to help those following to remember the vision of the end goal, and continually work towards that goal. The third attribute mentioned is to lead with love. If people know and can feel they are loved, they will have no problem following, and remaining loyal to those in leadership. Leadership with a small "l" puts the focus on being humble and not boasting of ourselves, but in working hard and expecting others to work with you. I really admire people who I've see that have this type of leadership ability, and there it a notable difference in the feeling of an organization if they are led by someone who exemplifies this leadership model. My favorite part of the readings this week was the article "Message to Garcia" and the message about being a person who has the ability to execute. I see changes in myself over the course of my working years. I realize when I was young, I was less likely to just dig in and get the job done. I would have asked questions and less executable. Now, however, I think I am very much this type of person, and as I look to hire for my company, I realize it is not a common trait. We have to recognize those in the organization who are not people who will just work to get it done no matter what, and get them "off the bus" as Mr. Collins would say. This has caused lots of recent changes in our organization, but due to the nature of what we do, it is important for us to have people who will do what it takes, ask the right questions, and learn from their mistakes, rather than being slowed down by them. This reading was the most powerful to me, and something I want to teach my children, that THIS ability is so vital. And in the end of the reading it provides guidance to become that type of person. It does not have to be something you're either born with or not; it can be developed. I feel like that is almost as important: to know there is hope to become someone that can provide that kind of value to an organization, no matter what type of organization it is. Just dig in and get things done...the world needs more people who are able to willing to do just that.