The other day I having coffee with friends who were involved in leadership. One was a priest, the other, a professor, and the third, a politician. I asked, “Any of you have any idea how many hits you get when you google leadership?” Of course, no one knew so I gave the answer, “You get 458,000,000 pings in 0.35 seconds.”
“Interesting,” replied the priest. “I goggled ‘The Meaning of Life’ the other day and got 435,000,000 in 0.45 seconds.” Putting my coffee down, I added, “Lots of folks have made a ton of money selling the secret to great leadership and the meaning of life. Unfortunately, I am not one of them.”
“We noticed,” replied the politician.” We all smiled knowingly. We continued enjoying our coffee when a young woman approached our table. She was in jeans, (the stylish kind with frayed threads), and a checkered shirt. She had a backpack stuffed with books and a laptop.
She smiled and said, “Excuse me, please. I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. “I’m working on my MSW at the University. Do any of you think there is a relationship between leadership and the meaning of life?” She smiled innocently but her intense eyes indicated she knew what she was doing. “Sounds like a trick question,” said the politician. “Not really,” replied the priest. I waited for the professor, who was shifting in her chair. “Well, that’s a good question. I don’t think there has been any research on that specific question. Cultural anthology might yield an answer.”
“Maybe Plato’s Republic and the philosopher king,” replied the priest. The prof added, “There are lots of books on authentic leadership, resonant leadership, and values-based leadership.” The politician said, “Life and politics is about gaining and using power so you can theoretically help others.” Looking for a future vote, the politician asked, “What’s your name, young lady?”
She smiled, “Molly. Molly Lightgiver. I’m Sioux.” The politician leaned forward and said, “Pleased to meet you, Molly Lightgiver. Tell you what, when you get your degree, give me a call and I will help you get a nice job where you can learn about life and leadership in the real world.”
Molly’s eyes blazed as replied, “In all due respect sir, my people believe that there are linkages between leadership and the meaning of life. And they are not found in books, journal articles, lectures, or that stuff. They are found in service to others and thinking about how you have served, are serving, and will serve. I think you call that servant-leadership.”
The professor smiled and said, “Ah, Robert Greenleaf, Larry Speers, Meg Wheatley and all those folks.” Molly sighed, “You can study all that stuff until hell freezes over and even study it on the ice. But as the existentialists say, ‘The map is not the territory.’ You’ve got to get into the trenches. It does not matter what you know. It matters what you do.
“Look at the people who work with the homeless, the derelicts, the smelly, and the hopeless. Look at all the farm workers who take care of their family. How about the factory workers who lead in their churches. Why aren’t we reaching out for cooperative relationships with other nations, like Russia? That’s leadership in action.”
The priest replied, “Our parish runs a soup kitchen and men’s shelter.” The politician interjected with, “I try to pass funding but the bastards on the other side fight me every step of the way ….” Molly interrupted with, “Free style character assassination and resisting common ground is not leadership. Its bull droppings of the worst kind. Leadership would be looking for common ground. I do not see much of that going on right now. It’s pretty hard to deny, given the evidence of the last several years.”
“Seems like harsh words, Molly. People really are trying to do the best they can,” replied the politician. “They are doing the best they can to destroy anyone who disagrees with them. They are doing the best they can to work the agenda of those who put them in power and implement their own hardline ideology.” There was no anger in voice, but her dark eyes flashed.
The professor spoke up, “Some aspects of servant-leadership are in conflict with certain traditional American values, such as rugged individualism. Servant-leadership seems more compatible with collectivist cultures. Yet, there are examples of self-serving leaders in collectivist cultures, and other-serving leaders in individualistic cultures. Maybe the best test is how well a “leader” teaches others to serve causes and others.”
Molly replied, “Professor, simple demographics tell us we are becoming more and more multicultural and that implies a shift toward collectivism where honor, truth, and kindness mean something. Those are traditional American values but they are being perverted by hatemongers and ideologues on both sides. What honor is there in calling people ugly names? What honor is there in destroying careers and reputations? Why do you think the outsiders are doing so well right now? “
The politician asked, “So, what does this have to do with your original question about life and leadership, Molly?”
“It’s really very simple. Both life and leadership are short term propositions. The meaning of life is found in serving others though goodness, right conduct, and taking care of the greater good. Leadership is about how you do those things. Leadership is the means by which you achieve noble goals. All those theories and philosophies are fluff. It is action to achieve a greater good through ethical means that counts. And by the way gentlemen, it is you job, the teacher, the minister, and the politician, to teach us through your thoughts, words, and deeds. So much for being a light to others. No wonder people are pissed off. I guess we get what they tolerate.”
Molly smiled and said, “Thank you for letting me join your conversation. Now I’ve got to go study for a test in “Ethics, Leadership, and Community Service.”
As Molly walked away, we stared at the table. Finally, the professor said, “If she is an example, the future is in good hands.”
“Amen,” said the priest. The politician was red faced and silent.
