I have been learning what it means to be a man for the past ten or so years; it is not something you come to learn automatically either, it takes time and other men to help you achieve it. In those years I have learned a lot about myself, and in the process come to find my calling in life as well. I have a desire to help other men find out what it means to really be a man. So today as I was doing battle with the weeds which comprise my yard, I found myself once again thinking those deep thoughts which come to me as I do work which doesn't require much thinking.
My thoughts turned to leadership and what it takes for a man to truly be a good leader. As I was thinking about this, I thought of those examples I have seen in movies which have spurred me to become the best man I can be. I don't always achieve it, but they motivate me none the less. I think every man should aspire to be a good leader, and in doing so this will help the world we live in.
The first man I saw in film who captured my attention and showed this to me, was Duke Leto Atriedes from the science fiction book turned movie Dune. I remember seeing this movie when I was about 21, and was so impressed at how he was willing to lay down his life, and the life of his son Paul in order to save the lives of the men who worked for him. To this day, I always try to emulate his example when I am in a leadership role.
The second man who impressed me was Hal Moore from the movie We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson. In a speech to his men before they left to go to Vietnam, he told them he would not be able to promise that they would all return alive, but he would be the first to step on the battlefield, and the last to leave. His example to his men spurred them on into battle, and he led from the front, not the rear.
The third man to inspire me is Jesus; the epitome of a man's man. He told his disciples, "Follow me, and I'll teach you how to fish for men." As I thought about this, it occurred to me that He didn't tell His followers to follow His agenda, or even what God had for them as men, but to follow Him. Leaders lead, it's just what they do.
I actually stopped mowing at this point, grabbed my iPod and wrote this: Jesus didn't say, "Come follow an idea, or even God's plan for your life." He said, "Come follow Me." Men don't follow ideas or plans, they follow men who get out front and lead. In today's society, we hear a lot about the plans God has for us, the ideas and plans of men and what they are trying to achieve, but it takes a real man to lead.
Real leaders have ideas of course, and they lay out the plans of what it will take to achieve those ideas, but the true test of a leader is not how good of an idea they have, but it's those who get out in front and take the lead. They lead by example, not by words alone. Of course their words can inspire those of us who are following to take their ideas and make them become realities, but I want to follow a leader who is in the middle of what is going on, not just pointing and telling others what to do.
And it takes a real man to get out front and lead. Of course when you're out front leading, you will be the one who takes the hit first. This is why I believe so many men are not true leaders. They stay in the rear and let others take the hits meant for them. It's not really fun to lead either. I say this because when you are leading there are always those who stand on the sidelines and talk about how you should be doing it better. Of course these are the naysayers who like to rain on everyone's parade. They usually do this because they are just afraid to get out there themselves.
It's like Sylvester Stallone's character Rocky said in the movie Rocky Balboa, "Ya gotta be willing to take the hits." And real leaders take all the controversy, ridicule and bad mouthing in stride, because they are the ones out there, and not those who are doing the talking. I'm reminded of a speech Teddy Roosevelt gave called the man in the arena speech, it is one of the most motivating speeches I've ever heard, take a look.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
I love how he says, "...so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." That pretty much sums up leadership, "...who spends himself in a worthy cause..." This is what I desire in my life, and I hope you do as well. Let's get out front and lead.
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