Leadership that defies explanation
This blog is for you to think about, and ultimately choose a leader that in your way of thinking about leadership is an outlier. The term outlier in this case means to exist outside rational thought regarding leadership. Perhaps such an example would be Abraham Lincoln. How many of his contemporizes would have predicted in 1845 that Lincoln would be considered one of, if not the greatest of all American presidents? If I recall correctly (yes, I could just fact check here, but that takes the fun out of working with memory) Mr. Lincoln had a difficult time getting elected to anything, he was married to an unusual woman who enjoyed a good séance as well as any of our first ladies, and from some historical accounts they could have filmed the movie Paranormal Activity in the White House during the years he was there....wait a minute, this is President Reagan....but you get the point. Presently it could be argued that we have political actors on the national stage that fit well within this genre. While not identifying any of these specific politicians I will offer that it is possible that both major political parties would have its share of Oscar nominees in several of the major political actor categories. This can be good, it can be bad, and it can be incredibly goofy. But, evidently one person’s goof is another person’s proof. Not sure what that means, but we do have some really odd political characters these days. But, hey, history has its share as well. So, think of one and share. They do not have to be goofy, they can be profound, just unexpected by who they were/are, or what they did/do.
Mine is Joan of Arc. I have a long standing fascination with this leader. This is not to be confused with the notion that I have a comprehensive historical understanding of her, but I think I have enough of the major points down that indicate she was not your average early 1400s leader. She was poor, she was French, she had no followers on Facebook, and she didn’t put on a wig and turn into Joanna Montana. Rather she was a peasant, a girl, and someone who claimed to have visions from God.
But before we pass this off as lunacy, as the English would later do as they burned her at the stake at a tender age of 19 let’s consider a few other facts. Before the English burned her at the stake she somehow managed to lead French army to several major victories over them during the Hundred Years War. But, legend has it she still threw like a girl. Just don’t tell that to the Englishmen who fell from the hand that threw like a girl.
Still, isn’t it amazing that she did all that she did and we still can’t explain it. I mean, why would seasoned solders follow a teen aged girl into combat? And, if she did, how is it possible that she lead them to victory? I don’t recall her attending la West a’Pointa? And, the Citadel was not accepting girls into their freshman class then. And, for this business of talking to God, is there anyone ready to tell me for sure she didn’t? I mean that would explain a lot. Actually that would explain it all, but it would not be without its own share of problems, just ask John Denver. There will be bonus points for those of you who connect the dots that lead from Joan of Arc to John Denver. I mean it’s not like Joan lived in almost Heaven, my home state of West Virginia. And let me close by mentioning Joan is the subject of some great music nearly 200 years after her death at the hands of the non believing English. Two of my personal favorite singer/songwriters, Leonard Cohen and Kate Bush, wrote compelling songs about her.
But, I leave you with this image from the poetry of J. Walden Elliott
The Chosen Joan
By J. Walden Elliott
The battle is subsiding, many are bleeding, more are dying.
Joan is alone and crying.
Tears not of weakness, but tears of compassionate strength.
Not death to the English, or death to the French,
instead the unfortunate of humanity dancing helpless on her sword
that tis blessed by the Hand of the Lord..
While in her head remains the ringing, all of the singing,
the bells yet toiling, the blood set flowing
as the maiden hears the voice that whispers among the shouts
saying go forward my Chosen, accept you can’t stop the suffering,
or still the doubts.
Yes, ever forewarned and forever forward cries the Lord.
A Lord not of the rings, a Lord not of things,
But a Lord of vengeance and saving grace
that choose to look upon the face
that leaves the dead to the dying and the dying to the dead,
and the visions of salvation in a young girls head.
And amide the furry of the fire
And of the longing desire
Only to be Joan.
Joan, sweet Joan.
Leading and leaving you so alone.
amide the furry of the fire
quenching the longing desire.
Tag you’re it.
18 comments:
This is a tough one. Non-traditional leaders? I suppose the most common form of traditional leadership, even though terribly ineffective, would be that of the autocratic leader, the one who frequently rules with an iron fist. It is my way or the highway and I won't take advice from anyone. The leader who best broke from this mold would be Jesus Christ. It is remarkable to see now the proliferation of modern books on leadership written about his "Servant Leadership" style. Jesus didn't attract people to the faith and to his following by force, only by saying "follow me." Jesus healed the sick and demanded nothing in return but a belief in who He was. Jesus fed the hungry and asked for no payment. He chose the company of the prostitute and the tax collector over the theologians and philosophers of His age. He washed the feet of his disciples and offered refuge to the oppressed. He was a leader bent on giving rather than receiving and paid the ultimate sacrifice for his followers. As Mercy Me sings in their song, “God with Us”, “my heart sings a brand new song the debt is paid these chains are gone.” He indeed paid the ultimate price for his followers as the original servant-leader. If a leader is to be measured by the number of his followers, the modern Christian church is a testament to His dynamic leadership. To know that the servant-leadership style has gained modern prominence in leadership literature is refreshing.
Okay, Rumba. Now just how are the rest of us to top that?? Dr. Proffit, can the rest of us abstain???????
Hey Karen,
As much as I would like to say yes, the professor in me won't let me. Trying to top what you feel can't top may push and inspire you to great things. I think Jesus is a great example, and almost used Him myself. I am glad I didn't, I don't think I would have done as great a job as Ross. He (Jesus) is a great example, and Ross snapped Him up immediately.
It's hard to follow Ross' leader, but here goes nothing. I would say one person that came to mind very quickly never held a traditional leadership post, and his legacy has done more to destabilize authoritarian rule than any other person. That person is Johannes Gutenberg. It is difficult to overstate the influence of the printing press on modern life. Before it, books were so expensive and time-consuming to make that they were owned only by the very rich or powerful. Gutenberg's printing press democratized knowledge. After him, books were in the hands of ordinary people, which led to an explosion in knowledge across Europe. The events that followed (the Renaissance, the scientific revolution) owe directly to his innovation. It is hard to imagine modern democracy working without a literate public and access to printed (and now digital) material.
Most, if not all of the institutions of modern democracy would be impossible without printed material. Can you imagine a system of public education without books? Would we be able to know anything about the leaders we elect without their written political platforms and statements? Arguably, Gutenberg did more to affect our lives than anyone since Jesus.
Nice one Ross...hmmm...this one IS hard-but I would expect nothing less from "The Wise Old Owl" -no negative attack there Owlvin...Non-traditional leadership...what about a woman who began her life as illegitimate, was imprisoned, stayed single all of her life, rescued a nation from bankruptcy and politcal/religious dessention? I'd say that defies traditional leadership. Guess who it is yet?
Queen Elizabeth I -before she was queen and while she was imprisoned- wrote this on the wall of the prison:
O FORTUNE! how thy restless wavering State
Hath fraught with Cares my troubled Wit!
Witness this present Prison whither Fate
Hath borne me, and the Joys I quit.
Thou causedest the Guilty to be loosed
From Bands, wherewith are Innocents inclosed;
Causing the Guiltless to be strait reserved,
And freeing those that Death had well deserved:
But by her Envy can be nothing wrought,
So God send to my Foes all they have thought.
What a gal...
Okay, Aaron and Teresa you are setting the bar pretty high too!Both of your leaders were great examples. Aaron how in the world you snatched that one out of midair I don't know. I would NEVER have thought of Gutenburg but it is good....really good.
BTW, Proffit, I am just kidding!As usual you are creating a forum for us to rise to the occasion!
When I read the blog topic, to be painfully honest, no one jumped to the forefront of my mind. I started running what I teach on a yearly basis through my mind until I thought of a somewhat unconventional leader which I do admire.
Harriet Tubman
Born as a slave, Tubman led slaves to freedom in by way of the underground railroad. Tubman dislayed not only bravery in her endeavors as an individual but also as a woman. She stepped up to the plate when others needed her. I have to wonder (and hope) that I would have the strength, knowledge, and willpower to do the same if faced with comparable circumstances.
Well said K...Oh and Aaron, I would love to know what you sit and think about while you drink coffee staring blankly into nothingness....
I love the line "Gutenberg's printing press democratized knowledge." I don't know if that is a Joplin original, but it is an awesome use of the language. I think the elites sometimes hate the new press which is the alternate electronic media. It is taking away the grip of the old media and giving the public both sides to the political story. Gutenberg (Johannes not Steve) would be proud!
I can't claim democratization of knowledge as an original...someone said it, but I am not sure who.
Harriet Tubman, Queen Elizabeth, JC, and both Guttenberg's...impressive list! Now let's add Gandhi on there. Here is a man who led his country to independnce without picking up a weapon- very unconventional. Gandhi practiced civil disobedience, which we have discussed in our other class when talking about another great leader- Martin Luther King. The ability to lead a nation and gain independence from a wolrd superpower shows the great leadership skills Gandhi had. The methods used to gain that independence, disobeying unjust laws and practicing a non-violent revolution, makes him a leader who defies the traditional leadership model.
Wow, so many great non traditional leaders. How about 2 young men, who disagreed on multiple issue but found a common interest and wrote a paper called "The Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Web Search Engine" while still in undergrad school. Then wrote a business plan and brought on almost $1 million dollars to start their own company in 1998 and that company is now worth over 150 billion dollars. Their company is built on hiring ability over experience, they have weekly share sessions for all employees with the two founders, they encourage collaboration not ownership. Their top ten things include focusing on the user, democracy works, make money without doing evil, you can be serious without a suit, great just isn't good enough. BTW, they are under 40 years old! Just Google the paper to find out who!!
I guess "the early bird gets the worm".... so enjoy Ross, I also immediately thought of Jesus, our greatest leader of all time, but since He can't be my non-traditional leader I chose....
Pocahontas....
She played a significant role in American history, again without any weapons or force, just the innocence of a child eager to learn and explore. As a compassionate little girl she saw to it that the colonists received food from the Indians, so that Jamestown would not suffer the fate of the "Lost Colony" on Roanoke Island. She is said to have intervened to save the lives of individual colonists. In 1616 John Smith wrote that Pocahontas was "the instrument to pursurve this colonie from death, famine, and utter confusion." And Pocahontas not only served as a representative of the Virginia Indians, but also as a vital link between the native Americans and the Englishmen. Whatever her contributions, the romantic aspects of her life will no doubt stand out in Virginia history forever.(For Proffit) She was buried in a churchyard in Gravesend, England. She was 22 years old. she also gave birth to one of the first, at least not forced, Indian/ Whiteman children, her son Tomas.
Yeah, Robin..I love yours!!
This post may not be on target with official leaders, but my choice is the passengers and crew of Flight 93 that crashed in PA on 9/11. The ability of these strangers from various walks of life to pull together and save the lives of others while sacrisfying their own defies many attributes of the most successful leaders commonly known. The dedication and bravery of this group of individuals to plan and execute such an act so quickly while under great distress is true leadership. Their fast thinking and response thwarted another attack on our country. I am not sure of the vocational background and training of the masterminds behind this noble plan, but it goes to show you that some people are born with natural leadership abilities.
I have to think of the unsung leaders - the everyday people who never held an office or position of authority or who did most of their leading over a cup of coffee at JB's. We have a group of "little old men" who have met at JB's over coffee every morning for the past 30 or so years. While many like to call them the "liar's club", many wonderful things for our county have originated from this diner table. The Alleghany Education Foundation that ensures that every graduate of Alleghany High School gets a scholarship; the Jobs fund that provides $$ for small start ups in the county started over a diner! Phone calls to folks asking them to come home to take positions of leadership within our county; business plans for our largest industry have all been developed around one table in one restuarant in town. When I go into other restuarants in our community, I see other "unsung heroes" at work each and every day - effectin the lives of those who live in our community - in very positive ways. If this doesn't defy traditional leadership - I don't know what does. It ertainly has been effective in our little neck of the woods.
Lots of great examples of non-traditional leaders. My mind went hmmmm at first. Then, the first person I thought of was General Douglas MacArthur, but how could he be non-traditional leader? He is one the most highly regarded American generals in all of history. He expected that his orders to be carried excatly, without exception, but he defied most of his commanders and their orders (Presidental orders) so often it was a running joke in Washington. His men sang songs making fun of him. He spent his entire life in the military, but at the end of his life he rejected war and urged political leaders to stay away from armed conflicts. Many Americans have forgotten about him but those in the Philippines and Japan hold him in high esteem. So many contradications in this man's life as a leader.
Both accused of smoking the "witch herb"???
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