Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Lead from the Back













I've heard the phrase Lead From the Front many times, but one you hear less often is its seemingly contradictory method of thought - Lead from the Back. This was a theory widely promoted and used by Nelson Mandela as one of his 8 Lessons of Leadership. Mandela believed that the way to be a great leader is not to stand at the front yelling and pushing people into action. Instead, Mandela believed that a great leader should empower others to lead and allow them to realize their potential.

I believe it takes both forms of leadership to be a great. A leader should empower and trust others to direct their movement. They should guide with patience and inspiration while leading by example.

A great leader should be willing to get in the trenches with their people, ride to the front of the battlefield and take on the unforeseen danger & glory ahead - side by side, with their troops.



"Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while."

2 comments:

ben flores said...

"every man dies, not every man lives"

Love it Ninja..

Nicole Hughes said...

@Ben Shoot Yeah! This movie gets me so fired up! FREEEEDOM!!!!!!