Bigfoot and Black Bears
An individual named Floe Foxon recently did a study on bigfoot sightings which you can read here. The interesting discovery was the correlation between the number of sightings and the local black bear population. Foxon’s results show that for every 1,000 bears in a given area, there is an approximate 4% increase in bigfoot sightings.
The assumption is that people are actually seeing black bears, not the mythical primate.
Bottom line – the people were mistaking black bears for bigfoot. They didn’t know what they’re looking at.
The Saul Syndrome
Since this is a leadership website, Foxon’s study reminded me of how often we look at certain people and mistake them for leaders. I call this The Saul Syndrome.
I Kings 10:23-24 says, “And when he (Saul) stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.’ And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’ ” (ESV)
Saul was taller than anyone, stronger, attractive, and a great warrior. He looked like a leader. But it would soon become apparent that Saul lacked the character qualities necessary to lead long-term. A young shepherd boy named David would prove to be the better choice.
Captain America
The following scene is from Captain America: The First Avenger. In the clip below, a weak and frail Steve Rogers is competing against bigger, stronger, and faster recruits for the super soldier serum medical trial.
As you saw, the army general played by Tommy Lee Jones compared Rogers to another recruit saying, “Hodge passed every test we gave him. He’s big. He’s fast. He obeys orders. He’s a soldier.” Hodge looked like a leader but they were looking for other leadership qualities like bravery and pure heart which Rogers possessed in abundance.
10 Qualities of a Leader Worth Following
If you are embarking on a search for a leader and do not know what to look for, be careful. You may accidentally pick a Saul or Hodge by mistake. To help you pick a David or Steve Rogers instead, I want to build a template for a leader worth following.
You will notice each principle starts with a letter that when added together spells LEADERSHIP.
- Love People – They are your only appreciable asset.
- Excellence – Great leaders demand it from themselves and others. They are culture builders and raise the standard of excellence in their organizations.
- Attitude – It determines your altitude. It determines how high you go in your organization and in life.
- Decision-Making – Your decisions today will determine your success tomorrow. Make smart ones. FYI—The Bible is your best resource for effective decision-making.
- Empowerment – Successful leaders trust others and multiply their mission and vision through great teams.
- Results – Leaders work on the things that yield the highest return for the organization. Count what counts.
- Solutions – Leaders find solutions rather than look for escapes.
- Hope – Smart leaders are optimistic and always point to a brighter tomorrow. After all, why else would anyone follow them?
- Improvement – Successful leaders are humble enough to be continual learners. There will always be a gap in where they are and where God wants them to be. So develop a personal growth plan.
- Private Life – Your private life always determines the sustainability of your public influence. Smart leaders work on their character as much as their competence. When your competence outpaces your character, your influence and position are short-lived.
What is one thing from this list you can work on today to become a better leader?
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