What does it take to be a LEADER? When are we Leaders? How can I become a better leader? These questions plague everyone. At some time in our lives everyone will be forced to be a leader in some fashion, and we all try to excel at it. Let me say this, everyone can grow as a leader. The only decision is whether or not we can shelve our pride and do so. So what will it take to lead in our Lodge? When we talk about leading we all talk about delegating authority and responsibility, without one it binds the person and gives little hope for success.

Another thing that we should talk about is the ability to partner with someone else. The OA is, by nature, a partnership of youth and adults. This is not the only partnership that we will encounter. Many times we will need to partner with others to train our replacements. Many take this partnership as a one way street, a captain telling a sergeant what to do. Who really grows and learns? Neither the youth nor adult will gain anything if this is the approach that we take. A partnership means that we find a way to connect to the other person and cultivate that connection so that we impart not only the skills but more important the why. Unlike the common thought this takes a lot of work on both sides of the partnership.

One quality that many do not talk about is the ability of a leader to take the heat when a task is delegated and the person assigned does not come through. When this happens many just want to play the blame game. But when you step back and look at it, what growth can be achieved by the blame game. Do we have the courage to stand up when something goes wrong and not blame someone else when you are being yelled at? Once this happens it really is time to pick back up the connection and make sure that both sides can learn what went wrong and how you can make sure that it will not happen again.

As I write this I cannot help but think of several of Mr. Olson’s rules. The first is that “each person is priceless. Each person brings both positives and negatives to the table. Try to find a place for everyone.” The second is “Rarely can you build yourself up by tearing someone else down.” And the last is “The platinum rule – do unto others as they would have done unto themselves.” But it all really comes down to pride. Can you swallow yours to help others achieve and make our lodge grow?

Yours in Service,

Ian Romaine