Today’s prompt: What makes a good leader?
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When I was shoveling the front walk this morning, I heard the honking of a skein of Canada geese flying overhead. I looked up and saw them in that familiar V formation, heading west. Canada geese frequently fly over our house but never stop to hydrate, rest or snack. Ducks, turkeys, foxes and owls visit our back yard all year long. We’ve even hosted a great blue heron a few times! But the Canada geese have never appreciated our hospitality. Year after year, they snub us and it hurts.
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The thing that makes a good leader is also what makes a good follower: awareness.
- awareness of self
- awareness of surroundings
- awareness of others
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The V formation is is a natural model of efficiency, determination and destination. I’ve read that geese don’t necessarily have the “strongest” goose at the point. I’ve read that they place the strongest and weakest throughout the V and take turns at different “stations” of the formation before exhaustion kicks in. They honk to communicate when it’s time for a shift change. So it’s not a “strongest in front, weakest in back” mentality. It’s “I help you, you help me.” I think this is brilliant. I’ve never seen a goose, strong or weak, fall out of the sky.
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I’ve known many good leaders and many good followers. The best leaders I know are also the best followers. Likewise, the best followers I know are the best leaders. They know their strengths and their weaknesses. They’re aware.
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My favorite famous leader is Sir Paul McCartney because he’ll jam with anyone; sometimes leading, sometimes following, sometimes performing alone. I love his music and stage presence. He always seems legitimately inspired. He looks and sounds like he’s honoring something divine whenever he plays music.
Here’s a video of Sir Paul leading and following. There’s a lot going on and I love every second of it but I am a fan. A non-fan might not be that impressed because the crowd isn’t super engaged. I’m showing this because it shows how he leads and follows even when the crowd sort of sucks. It’s still a “joy, joy…such a joy, joy!”
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Thanks for reading. -Cosmically Conscious Connie
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Constance Kuntz 