Comments on: People are People, Lead Anyway

by: Donna

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:21:45 +0000

Keep in mind the comments by Mother Teresa are based upon her spirituality and deep faith in the gospel message of Jesus Christ. It might be arugued that Jesus Christ represents a pardox of leadership. A poor man from a tiny village, living a marginalized existence, recruits the most unlikely group of followers. No one in their right mind would have bet on this group. In three short years their leader is framed by the powers that be in the legal system. He dies a horrible death and the followers become leaders and change the world. All because they undestood the value of doing it anyway.

by: Amy Buckingham

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:16:00 +0000

Once again, your message affirmed choices I’m making in my life. I appreciate that, especially at times that seem a little tricky.

I recently was laid off from doing what I consider is good, and the “good” was put to an end. I decided to tell those who have partnered with me in doing the good (a skilled, golden-hearted, effective AmeriCorps team) that it didn’t matter we weren’t being valued by the decision makers in our agency; what was important was that we had done the good when we had the opportunity to it, and that we needed to continue to do good wherever we went after our time in national service.

I plan to share your message along with a copy of all “The Paradoxical Commandments” at my final team meeting wtih them this month.

Onward to more people…….

by: Anon

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:23:34 +0000

I’m intrigued by the topic of today’s RFL. I recently have found myself wondering, “Why bother” when faced with what I’ve learned are affectionatly known as “Leadership Challanges.”

When I see what President Bush has to put up with for his leadership decisions, or what the Gov. Granholm has to put up with for her leadership decisions, or what the LSJ editors have to put up with for their decisions, I question myself: Do I ever want to be in a leadership position where I make decisions that cause others to “kick me in the teeth”? What’s the driving force that makes me want to lead anyway?

I know I want the world a better place. I know I want my work and home life a better place. I also know that I don’t to sacrifice my entire self to get there. How much should a leader give up to lead?

I still find myself searching for this internal balance, and hope to find it soon (for my sake, as well as for my spouse and children). Until then, I’ll just grin my toothless grin and be happy.

by: Mike McCullough

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:26:07 +0000

Hi Dan,
Just read your latest column. Excellent per usual. I was somewhat familiar with the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith and have referenced them in several of my presentations. They parallel the somewhat cynical comment: “No good deed goes unpunished.”
As a Rotarian I was surprised and pleased to learn that Keith was also a Rotarian. Thanks for that piece of info, as well as your well constructed messages.