A Leader vs. The Leader

Posted by Scott Williams
6 Comments
November 6, 2008
Leaders | Leadership | Poetry

Pronunciation: “A Leader” Uh-Leader  and “The Leader” Thuh Leader

Just because you are “A Leader” doesn’t necessarily mean that you are “The Leader”

Just because you are “A Leader” who leads a church of 500 people; deosn’t mean that you are “The Leader” to take that church to over a thousand people

Just because you are “A Leader” that has a position, a title and an office; doesn’t mean that you are “The Leader” that people believe in, respect and are excited to follow

Just because you are “A Leader” that people look up to today; doesn’t mean that you are going to be “The Leader” that people look up to tomorrow

Just because you are “A Leader” on this team; doesn’t meant that you are going to be “The Leader” on that team

Just because you are “The Leader” to this particular group or faction; doesn’t mean you will be “The Leader” to that group or faction

If you are “A Leader” and think that you are “The Leader” that can be a problem, know your place and respect your space 

Although both are important, there is definitely a difference between being “A Leader” and “The Leader” 

Remember, just because you are “A Leader” doesn’t mean that you will necessarilly ever be “The Leader”

If you are “A Leader” who’s determined to be “The Leader” figure it out; Go Lead… Transcend The Isms’

  • http://www.scottrodgers.tv ScottRodgers

    Scott – This is the best post you’ve ever done. How’s that for some props?

  • Mike

    Amen. Very relevant to my profession of project management. I may lead by job description, but not always by practice.

    p.s. – don’t waste your time on “The Shack”. It wreaks heresy.

  • David C

    So true and I am sharing this post with my team today. Although I live in OKC, The teams manage are located in different cities. Too often they look too hard to me as the THE leader and do not step up to be A leader. Thanks for the post!

  • http://murphy24p.wordpress.com Steve Murphy

    Killer post… so many people come to mind that I wish would read it with the spirit intended.

    {fist bump}

  • http://jameyjohnson.org jamey johnson

    Great post! Leadership develops daily, not in a day…right? The 5 levels of leadership is a great illustration for this post (Lowest level – Postional Leadership) – based on rights – people follow you because they have to. (Permission Leve) – based on relationships – people follow you because they want to. (Production Level) – based on results – people follow you because of what you have done for the organization. (People Development Level) – based on reproduction/mentoring – people follow you because of what you have done for them. (Personhood Level) – based on respect – people follow because of what you represent – you have led well for quite some time. – Great post!

  • Scott Williams

    Thanks for the additions and feedback on the post… sometimes I write randomness, that makes sense to me; however I’m not always sure it makes sense to others.

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