Legacy Leadership: Wisdom Of The Apostle PaulSample

The Leadership Imperative: It’s Not About Me

If you took a philosophy or ethics class in college, you probably came across the writings of Immanuel Kant. He is famous for his “categorical imperative.” This was a general rule that Kant developed for ethical decision-making. According to this rule, we should "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

Here’s my paraphrase:  In any situation I should act in such a way that if other people in the same situation acted the same way, it would be OK with me. (Now, some of my philosophy professors might not give me an A for that, but I think it gets to the essence of Kant’s meaning).

What about a “Leadership Imperative”? Can we develop a general rule for leaders?   Perhaps a good way to get at this issue is to answer this question:

Are you worthy of imitation?

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul provides us with a way to evaluate how worthy we are of imitation:

“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

This passage actually provides a great test – a Leadership Imperative- for those of us in leadership positions:

• Can I say that what the people in my life learn from me is worthy of imitation?
• Can I say that what the people in my life receive from me is worthy of imitation?
• Can I say that what the people in my life hear from me is worthy of imitation?
• Can I say that what the people in my life see in me is worthy of imitation?

If I am to be a leader that is worthy of imitation, I must live a life that is distinctive. I should strive to cultivate positive leadership characteristics and work hard at overcoming, and even eliminating the undesirable traits. But it goes beyond these “external” traits. In fact, Legacy Leadership is more about being than doing. My doing flows out of my being.  My life must be based on clear principles that guide my motives. The leadership methods and influence strategies I use must reflect those motives.

Living and leading from this perspective requires a willingness to constantly reflect on my motives and the courage to confront my own hypocrisy. In fact, if I am to lead with integrity, I must always confront my own lack of integrity.

Being a Legacy Leader is not about me; but, it starts with me.

Reflect and Act on these questions:

Apply the Leadership Imperative to your own leadership by answering these questions:

• Can I say that what the people in my life learn from me is worthy of imitation?
• Can I say that what the people in my life receive from me is worthy of imitation?
• Can I say that what the people in my life hear from me is worthy of imitation?
• Can I say that what the people in my life see in me is worthy of imitation?
• If people imitate me, will it bring them closer to God?
• Are you worthy of imitation?