Martin Luther King on Leadership and Responsibility

As i reflected back on what Martin was able to do in a time of great uncertainty and cultural unrest, leadership and not management drove the Movement. These terms many times are interchanged in the business world. We are in a time where we need Leadership to lead people and manage people if we are live in a rapidly changing world of technology, human resource and communication overload. 

I was communicating with a friend of mine on education where I referred to and undercurrent of what I call the Tsunami of Trust. I believe that there is a growing perspective of a lack of trust with school systems to educate students. More importantly the students of color. A greater concern for me is that the Tsunami of Trust of our current  Political, Educational, Corporate and Economic Leadership. etc.

Where will our next great leaders come from, where we can hold them to accountable to the statement below by Dr. King?

The Need for Great Leaders

"A time like this demands great leaders. Leaders whom the lust of office cannot kill; leaders whom the spoils of life cannot buy; leaders who possess opinions and will; leaders who will not lie; leaders who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking. Tall leaders, sun-crowned, who live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking."

A Realistic Look at the Question of Progress in the Area of Race Relations, St. Louis Freedom Rally, April 10, 1957

A Leader's Responsibility

"On some positions, cowardice asks the question, 'Is it expedient?' And then expedience comes along and asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' Conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right."

Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution, March 31, 1968

How often are we desensitizing issues, not asking the right questions out of fear and/or challenging issues on the basis doing the right things. If we are committed to doing the right things because it is the right thing to do, our world, community and families will have a place where courage conversations can happen.  These conversations can raise an awareness and encourage solutions that are inclusive and collaborative to deal with the real causes of many problems.

I will seek to set the example of asking the right questions and following my conscience.

I would love to get your feedback on applying King's words to today's leaders and leadership.