Clyde Howell's vivid and profound reflections on a leadership exercise in
L02691 reminds me of a similarly vivid revelation I had while watching a
group of 4th graders at play during a rainy day recess.
There was this one little girl who somehow became games mistress for the
entire class of 35 kids, and stayed games mistress for the entire 45
minute period. It was from her I learned about leadership. Most vividly in
a game of Follow the Leader.
She showed me the art of being leader of a group of people who don't have
to follow, who follow only out of free will.
What I learned from her is how to lead by following. For that's what she
did. She'd always be somehow in touch with every person in the room,
playing on not, always with some invitation. When people became tired, she
slowed. When people dropped out she led them to a game of paddycake. Never
losing her leadership, regardless of game. Always somehow in front and
next to.
-- Bernie DeKoven Meetings@california.com http://www.omix.com/zine/DeKoven