Hypothesis on Leadership

This is actually a writing assignment that needs to be hashed out. I kinda liked it, but I need to refine some parts. Like how to lead.

“A ruler must never mobilize his men out of anger; a general must never engage battle out of spite.” These were quoted from Sun-Tzu; which will be the basis from my analysis on leadership. It has been herald that a great leader is something of legends, typically an iconic feature within history that shapes how the story of man is told. Usually these figureheads are the pivots in which great and dubious things are flexed upon. But their origins are varied and their rise to their iconic class is lucid at best. Looking backwards from the 15^th century, name and class dictated leaders. Earlier than that, one could argue that it was strength and cunning that allowed cavemen to lead their families across the artic tundra and establish empires in the Americas. As one progresses forward through time, 18^th century showed an evolution of society where anyone can rise to uphold common accepted values if there exists an infrastructure that allows it and the drive within men to share values of merit. Even now, leaders are sought at all levels of industry, war, and faith. Yet, I would argue that most leaders are not born: they are smithed from the struggles of competing and confirming values, discipline in facing indifference, and courage wrought from what ever drives any man to step forward for the sake of tomorrow (albeit faith or family).

How we define ourselves is represented in our actions. Those actions are in constant odds with reality. How people perceive our actions is also in a constant state of flux. Yet, those actions must be set on a set of internalized ideals on how we operate. If not; then we are at the mercy of the media, the suggestions of strangers, and our instincts. Why we move through the world is as important as how. Often we are in selfish competition with everyone over resources, ideals, even power. Yet it is the acts of other that allow us to progress as humans. When that our motives and actions go beyond personal gain; it carries weight outside of selfish value. As more actions of that nature are added to the equation, it becomes a set of values instead of instinct. The challenge then lies in how we operate and how one exercises those values. As those values become concrete in our minds they become important and are reflected within actions and how we view ourselves. When a set of common values come together or are taught to people, then people of merit are born; if those values are also built on merit.

Exercising those values tests the validity of the values; which is typically done in the face of apathy. That action can test the mettle of one’s soul, since therein lay the possibility of lacking the personal or self sustaining gains that come with operating on instinct and selfishness alone. The apathy is relevant when looking at the world as a whole in comparison to one’s own personal view: no one cares about what you have to say, especially if it’s not helping somebody else. Hence, those with a true faith in what rhetoric they say usually leave behind a legacy or other beacon of their existence beyond a tombstone; only if the values being displayed are built on merit. To reach that level of faith in their words, they woke up everyday believing it amidst the hail and fire of doubts brought fourth by the contemporary thought of world. In practice, they sowed their words through their actions an saw the harvest of many hours; once again, only if their values have merit. That harvest translates into the whispers of the world, acknowledging not only that persons achievement but also their values of merit. The self acknowledgement that everyday is a challenge to exemplify those ideas that we hold true requires a level of discipline in our souls and minds; as to fail those ideals would lead to our own words and actions being nothing but words lost to the world. It becomes the responsibility of the individual who carries values of merit to carry the discipline to live those values. When that happens, we then have pillars of society, though they may not have to lead.

Finally, to be driven to a higher purpose beyond our selves; finding that which drives us leads us into the mantle of command. For some it’s faith, for others it’s family or duty. In all cases it affects where we derive some if not all of our values from. In all cases, it takes a form of responsibility beyond the scope of one self. This force draws others to want to serve under the mantle of one who is driven. Unfortunately, this driving force can be perverted if one succumbs to the power of self gratification through using others or has already entered into command bad intent. Once again, a kind of responsibility befalls an individual both to be vigilant in their actions in keeping a clear view of what the driving force is and to be aware of the toll of their vision on those who serve with him. Exemplifying those common values of merit brings validation to those who are learning and living those values. Yet, the values, faith, and direction are lost when a commander perverts a core value of merit. Also, the toll of the driving force must be weighed by the leader in ways that will test ones resolve. In upholding values, are the costs valid to the vision? A person of merit will understand that they will carry the burdens of that which is not their own and still make decisions with a clear voice and mind. And from being truly driven for something greater than oneself, means never being alone. Ultimately, to move towards the final goal and be driven, we act upon those basic values of merit drawing upon the support of those who share that same vision and are willing to bear the same costs. The one in command is the most driven and desires the vision the most, but for the sake of all those following him.