Can Great Leadership be Faked?

When I was in grade school, I dreaded the possibility of one day having a specific teacher. Even as a youngster, I recognized his leadership style as iron fisted and unyielding.

Mr. Downer* (not his real name, of course) was tall, dark, and anything BUT handsome. His brooding countenance just didn’t lend itself to attractiveness. He never had a kind word for the students and rarely smiled. The fact that Mr. Downer’s thick, bushy brows made one steady beeline across his lower forehead didn’t help matters any. It was as if he wore a perpetual state of frustration.

The day I found out he was to be my teacher for the next school year, I promptly threw up. (For me to recall that time so vividly so many years after the fact may give you some idea of the trepidation I felt.)

Still, just like my favorite heroine, Pollyanna, I pulled out my “glad” card and determined to be glad for at least three reasons:

• It could always be worse. I didn’t see how, but that’s the line I’d always heard adults use.

•  Maybe Mr. Downer wasn’t such a grumpy soul after all. I bet I could cheer him up. And maybe, just maybe, a pig would fly.

• Perhaps, Mr. Downer was a great teacher. And one can put up with a lot if there’s motivation to learn. Good grades = grade advancement and a new teacher the following year.

I’ll never forget the morning I got caught whispering to my neighbor. I was actually answering her question, but of course, I was the one Mr. Downer heard.

Immediately, I was summoned to the front of the classroom.

“Recite the ABC’s for us,” he directed.

I was in Fifth grade. I knew what tactic Mr. Downer was using, but I didn’t fully understand the term yet. I certainly felt it though. Humiliation.

“Um…oh…kaaay.”

And I proceeded to rattle off the alphabet to the horror of all my classmates and to the smug satisfaction of Mr. Downer. AND, worse, he made me do it a second time.

“Slower.”

It was the longest 47 seconds of my life. I’ll never, ever forget it.

In Jill Kemerer’s blog post, Always Dream (4/16/12), she talked about a similar circumstance in the classroom. It’s a fabulous post and one that I’d encourage you to read. It’ll pull at your heartstrings so you might want to have a tissue handy.

For years, I’ve thought about what makes great leaders. (Check out Michael Hyatt’s blog.) Is it a commanding presence? The tone of authority? Is it manipulation, maneuvering, or heavy-handedness? Or… is great leadership the innate ability to garner respect without really trying? Are honor, integrity, and compassion integral parts of the mix?

Can great leadership be faked?

I don’t think it can. Great leaders are intentionally deliberate, but not in a dehumanizing, devaluing kind of way. They may have to make tough decisions for valid reasons, not to inflate their own egos, but to propel others forward toward a mutual God-sized mission.

******

This post is dedicated to our son who will become an educator soon.

May he lead with Christ in mind.

******

What other qualities make great leaders?

What are ways that writers might lead?

Photo Credit: chrisroll/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blessings Always,