Chapter 5

"The wise leader, according to Lao-tzu, was to be selfless, hardworking, honest, able to time the appropriateness of actions, fair in handling conflict, and able to 'empower' others (to use a more current vernacular)." p. 101 of the text.

I wanted to write more about the quote from our text. I completely agree with Lao-tzu's description, although I might slightly disagree with selfless. I think that great leaders think of others first, but I don't think a leader should be completely selfless. I think you need to take care of yourself in order to help care for others. Okay....so, I have one disagreement and a minor one at that. But, overall, I think leaders think of others first when it comes to making decisions, group tasks, etc. Hardworking - I think we all work hard at our SNC career and that makes us better leaders. I believe it's important to be honest, even when your honest opinion is not going to popular with those around you. This is sometimes very difficult, but it's important to honest to everyone....including yourself. The ability to time the appropriateness of actions - this is an interesting quality and I'm not sure how you learn to do such a thing. But, some people truly have a talent for knowing the right time to say or do something for maximum effect. Coming from a background of having been an RA and a hall director, I can't say enough about needing to be fair in handling conflict. There is nothing like a building full of roommate conflicts to make you understand how important it is to be fair to everyone. And, the ability to empower others...do you remember some of the people who have empowered you? When you are working with leaders that empower you, it is a truly great feeling. I love that feeling! It really makes you feel powerful to know that you have the complete trust of the "person in charge" and are able to do what you think you need to do.

So, who are the leaders I think of as I talk through these ideas? Martin Luther King, Jr.? Ghandi? Mother Theresa? No....although these words may describe those people. This quote makes me think of people who have personally touched my life. They make me think of my mother, brother and sister. I think of former supervisors, friends, faculty members. The beauty of Lao-tzu's quote is that it makes me think of people I know, people who have helped me become a better person.

Think about those people who have empowered you, been honest with you, fair to you and thought of you first. Pick one and tell me a little about him or her and a situation where these kinds of things happened.