WHEN LEADERSHIP FINDS YOU

WHEN LEADERSHIP FINDS YOU
By Dr. John C. Maxwell

Forty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stirred the passion
and imagination of Americans with his dream of equality for all
people.  Reflecting on the life of Dr. King, I am reminded that
history has demonstrated that leaders often emerge during periods
of great change.  For every major turning point in American
history, great leaders assumed the mantle of leadership: Abraham
Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Harry Truman all come to mind.

What is interesting is that usually great men and women don't go
looking for leadership.  Instead, leadership finds them.  When
Dr. King received the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, he said, "History
has thrust me into this position.  I neither started the protest,
nor suggested it.  I simply responded to the call of the people."
King's words remind me of Plato's, "Only those who do not seek
power are qualified to hold it."

It's as if you want it, you shouldn't have it.  Instead, if you
commit to other things, leadership will come.  What do people who
become great leaders commit themselves to that lead them to
greatness?  Here are four key commitments:

1. They commit themselves to growth.

King was a lifelong learner.  "I question and soul-search
constantly to be as certain as I can that I am fulfilling the
true meaning of my work, maintaining my sense of purpose, holding
fast to my ideals, and that I am guiding my people in the right
direction."

Coretta Scott King confirms this by saying that King, "Worked so
hard and studied constantly--long after he became a world
figure."

2. They commit themselves to a larger than life vision.

King saw the civil rights movement as the continuation "of that
noble journey toward the goals reflected in the Declaration of
Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Constitution
itself, the Bill of Rights, and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth,
Fifteenth, and Nineteenth Amendments to the Constitution."  Dr.
King portrayed the movement as not simply a conflict between
white people and black people, but a struggle between "justice
and injustice."

3. They commit themselves to action.

Dr. King always advocated specific and practical initiatives.
Great leaders point to the problem and then clearly give several
solutions.  He would ask how is it that we can have all the great
technology in America and yet cannot make the Constitution work
at a luncheonette in a southern town.

"What is needed," he said, "is a strategy for change, a tactical
program that will bring the Negro into the mainstream of American
life as quickly as possible.  When evil men plot, good men must
plan.  When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and
bind."

4. They commit themselves to leaving a legacy.

King said he wouldn't "have any money to leave behind" but wanted
"to leave a committed life behind."  This is best demonstrated in
that he didn't want "a long funeral," not even "a eulogy of more
than one or two minutes."  He wanted no mention of his Nobel
Peace Prize or other awards he had received.  Instead, "I'd like
somebody to mention that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give
his life serving others.  Say that I was a drum major for
justice, a drum major for peace, a drum major for righteousness."

Dr. King was right for the moment.  He showed the nation a better
way.  Millions of us live with hope of an even greater future as
we remember his dream of when "little black boys and black girls
will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls
and walk together as sisters and brothers."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. didn't look to become a leader.
Leadership found him, and because of his commitment, he was able
to answer leadership's calling.  That is a great lesson for all
of us to learn.  When leadership finds us, will we be the kind of
people who can step up and lead?  What we commit to now will be
the determining factor.

"This article is used by permission from Dr. John C. Maxwell's 
free monthly e-newsletter 'Leadership Wired' available at www.INJOY.com."