Thursday, April 1, 2010

The Essence of Leadership


There is a great story in today's Daily Guideposts about a function at which both Norman Vincent Peale and Colin Powell were speaking. Before the ceremonies began, Gen. Powell glanced over at Dr. Peale, then 90 years old, and noticed one of his shoes was untied. Powell quietly went over, knelt down, and tied his shoe. Peale was embarrassed but Powell made a joke to minimize his discomfit and returned to his place. An aide leaned over to the author of this vignette and whispered."That's why we would follow Gen. Powell through the fire."

Indeed. I wonder where Gen. Powell learned the concept:

"After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them."

John 13:12-16



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