(The following Axioms of Leadership introduce
the sections of the Manual for The Leadership In Fund Development Basic
Workshop.)
Axiom #1 … “Why” Comes Before “How”!
In a world where increasingly “the ends justify the means”
it’s easy to lose focus. Purpose dictates behavior! People tend
to set goals and determine behaviors or paths of action that are a direct
reflection of their primary purpose. Purpose sets the tone for future
behavior. An inferior purpose initiates an inferior journey …
just as the right purpose sets the stage for the best course of action.
Axiom #2 … “No Food For The Dead
Horse”
It’s a waste of resources and effort to place food in front of
a dead horse. No one in their right mind would do that. The food’s
given to the horses that are working hard plowing the field or running
fast to win the race. Valued resources always go to those who have life
and potential for the future.
Axiom #3 … “If There’s A Difference, It’s You”
Change may be inevitable, but it’s none-the-less challenging.
It’s the natural dilemma of everything that lives to protect the
present … but at the same time have a strong drive to grow. One’s
current comfort zone is “comfortable”, but inadequate for
the future. Therein lies the challenge. Change doesn’t come easily.
Change is the result of someone seeing a “preferred future”.
Yesterday and today may have been O.K., but tomorrow can be better.
There is always an agent of change, something or someone that stimulates
a move toward that “preferred tomorrow”. Leaders are change
agents.
Axiom #4 … “A Wise Man Builds His House On A Rock”
The foundation will determine the integrity of the building. That’s
not only true in physical construction; it’s true for leadership
in life. It takes a little longer and a bit more energy to build a good
foundation, but the result is a “structure” that’s
solid, predictable and long lasting.
Build it right and it will be strong. A wise leader always builds for
strength.
Axiom #5 … “Success Isn’t An
Accident”
Most of life is built on “cause and effect” relationships:
…When the fire is hot, the water boils quickly.
…When the man is lazy, poverty overtakes him.
…When the sun goes down, so does the temperature.
For every reality, there is a “causing” behavior or a set
of actions that leads to that reality. Virtually nothing of value happens
without an originating source.
The joy of accomplishment is reserved for those who commit themselves
to the right originating behaviors.
Axiom #6 … “Without A Map, Nowhere Is The Destination”
Every destination has directions that will result in a safe and timely
arrival. But those who want to get somewhere have little chance of doing
it if they ignore the plan on how to make the journey successfully.
Neither “now-here” or “no-where” are leadership
stances.
Axiom #7 … “You Can’t Win A
Race You Don’t Start”
It’s been said that theory without practice is waste, and practice
without theory is folly.
Knowing what to do and not doing it erodes the credibility of any leader.
The world is full of people who can talk about “what ought to
happen” … but it cries for people who translate talk into
redemptive action.
The next leg of the journey is always impossible without the first
steps.
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