Some people are natural born leaders while others seem to cultivate important leadership characteristics. Whatever applies, I feel that it is important to exercise leadership skills. A lot of times people underestimate themselves or they convince themselves that they are not good enough or that someone is better than them in a specified area. However, I feel that it is essential that everyone use their leadership capabilities for the betterment of their communities and society as a whole! I have a question for everyone…Is being a leader a responsibility or a privilege? By book definition a responsibility is the ability or authority to act on one’s own without supervision while a privilege is defined as special advantage, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual. So what is it? Personally, I feel like it is both. If naturally, you are given the talent then why not use it? Furthermore, if authority is used in the wrong manner it can be taken away.
What can you do to make sure this does not happen to you?
- Whenever you can be of service to someone or the community, DO IT!
- NEVER take advantage of authority, Be grateful for being elected into your position!
- Do not forget why you became a leader to begin with, because like most things in life-they can be snatched away at any moment and you do not want to be left with “what if” situations.
Ultimately, we are the decisive factors in the way we choose to lead, and first we must lead as an example.
That’s my take on leadership as a responsibility vs a privilege..
Thanks for reading!
Tediah Grant
October 21st, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I tend to think of leadership as more of a responsibility than a privilege. For me, it relates a little bit back to our discussion of the responsibilities of a citizen. Having the ability to do something that can positively impact you surrounds implies that you should to ensure that everyone contributes their strengths to form a better community. The grey area for me might be when someone is elected to a position and is not just acting as an informal leader, which to me seems more like a privilege due to the fact that it has been granted by others. As far as your suggestions to leaders, I feel that another pertinent point would be look at your own personal strengths and be aware of when there is a need for them in your community. This just drives home the responsibility aspect and the fact that leadership can be informal. Thanks for bringing this topic up!
October 23rd, 2012 at 6:53 pm
Although one can argue that leaders tend to get privileges, responsibility is the main attribute that an individual expects to deal with once he or she becomes a leader. For example, the president gets so many privileges, but it does not even compare to all the responsibilities that he holds. With more authority, the more privileges come along, however, one cannot deny the responsibility that is 10 x more along the way.
October 23rd, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I tend to agree with Lori. It is a responsibility that some take advantage of. It is a responsibility that if taken advantage of can be taken away like a privilege. I feel that leadership is more of an inherent thing. A person who was born to be on the spotlighted stage. I just feel that way personally, but I have my reasons.
October 24th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
I think leadership in certain cases is a responsibility, that as we mature we are called to take on more and more leadership roles, acting in ways that benefit others more than ourselves.
However, I also think it can be a privilege. Especially if it is an elected leadership position, it is important for the politician to not forget their responsibility to represent their country, but also the great privilege that it is to represent the people.
The two are very easily intertwined, it depends on what angle you look at leadership from.