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Leadership and Leading
Leaders are self-made, not born. Leadership comes in many different styles and is measured on success in creating something of value to society. Leaders are not of a particular race, color, or creed, but surface from all segments of society.
On this year's birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the father of the modern day civil rights movement that changed the face of America and gave hope to millions, it is appropriate to recognize Dr. King as a leader. Under his leadership, the Constitutional rights were restored to many people. His memory gives hope and moral support to many who were born after his tragic death 38 years ago. His legacy continues his work from the 1960s.
General Daniel “Chappie” James, a four-star general in the U.S. Air Force, showed leadership in the military to rise from second lieutenant to the boss of the North American Air Defense Command. He demonstrated leadership in other areas as well by speaking to groups of young blacks to give them an insight on racial prejudice. In one speech, he told the young men that it was okay to destroy structures – but first they had no right to do destroy until they built something. I’m certain that his words “to build something first” influenced many of these students to be a part of creating value for society.
General and later Secretary of State Colin L. Powell promoted through the ranks of the Army to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff before retiring and being appointed Secretary of State in the George W. Bush Administration. Reading his biography, My American Journey, is inspiring because is shows leadership through adhering to principles in spite of prejudices and discrimination. He is perhaps one of the most respected men of today for his accomplishments with honesty and integrity. General Powell/Secretary Powell serves as a role model for all to emulate.
These three examples of Black Americans demonstrate what can be achieved when a person of integrity sets a path to succeed in some endeavor that affects millions of people. A person does not have to be Black to experience challenges in becoming a leader. Hardships are created by those who would rather destroy than build. Hardships are created by those with “can’t do thinking” and inaction. Successes are created by those with “can-do thinking” and action.
Professional societies provide individuals opportunities to excel – opportunities to build something new for society. asapm as a relatively new project management professional society has no baggage to carry, but offers individuals with “Can-do thinking” and motivation to perform an opportunity to make a difference and build something new.
One of asapm’s initiatives is bringing the International Project Management Association’s four-level certification program to the United States. This program is competence-based with greater requirements for certification than a pure knowledge-based project management certification. This will take some leaders willing to roll up their sleeves to dig into the process to understand why America needs competence-based project management certification. These leaders will help build a program that will affect millions of people – first, those who seek and achieve the competence-based certification and, second, those who benefit from improved productivity in the work place.
Be a leader and volunteer to the extent possible to be a part of success. Your involvement, whether it is a light sprinkling or complete dunking in the process, can make you a leader and part of building for the future. Contact Bill Duncan to find out how you can be a part of the venture.
Best regards,
Lew
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