SFM Blog
January 20, 2012
Staring at my computer this week, I struggled with writing my next President’s Blog. Steve Jobs left such an impact on us all, and the “5 lessons learned” would be hard to top. But I did find a man that left a different type of mark on our nation, and perhaps the world. His message is still remembered by many, and he changed the face of our nation.
This past Monday, we honored the birth of not just a great civil rights leader, but a true leader of all men. In remembrance of Martin Luther King Day I found myself reading the transcript of MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Although moving, it made me want to watch the video, because, like most great orators, it’s all in the delivery.
Technology is an amazing gift. To think that I could jump on the Internet and find a film of the actual speech given to a crowd of 300,000 on August 28, 1963, the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. But there it was – and for 17 minutes I, like many people for the past 48 years, sat in awe of this great leader.
So in the spirit of my last blog, let’s take a moment and remember what makes a great leader like Martin Luther King.
Great leaders engage the heart. While logic may compel the mind, stories and metaphors move the heart. His passion was evident in his words and actions.
Great leaders refuse to accept the status quo. This is the defining characteristic of true leaders. They are not passive; they are active. They are unwilling to acquiesce to their circumstances.
Great leaders create a sense of urgency. They are impatient—in a good way. They refuse to just sit by and let things take their natural course. They have a sense of urgency and communicate it.
Great leaders refuse to settle. It would have been easy for Dr. King to negotiate a compromise, to settle for less than his vision demanded. But he was stubborn. He persisted, and called his followers to persevere.
Great leaders paint a vivid picture of a better tomorrow. Leaders can never grow weary of articulating their vision. They must be clear and concrete. They have to help their followers “see” what they see, feel what they feel.
In honor of Martin Luther King I encourage you all to sit down with your family, friends, or as I did, alone in my office and watch this speech. Reflect on what great leadership truly is and how we all can become better leaders. I hope it moves you all as much as it moved me.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” – Dr. Martin Luther King
Barbara Kane
President
