Sitting Bull, the famed Lakota leader, was revered throughout his life. Both when fighting for his home and while surviving after conquest.
Even before the height of his notoriety, prior to his widespread fame at The Greasy Grass, he was a member of the Lakota Strong Hearts, a warrior class within the Lakota Sioux who were the heart of the tribes’ defenses.
Entry was earned, not given.
Repeated service through bravery and cunning against their enemies was the only price of admission.
Other members of the Strong Hearts are not named, known but to those whom they served.
Isn’t that the type of leader that should be the standard?
Isn’t that the model for a citizen and for community?
Repeated participation.
When you look at the names that stand out through history, how many of them catch your eye for reasons that don’t make you squirm?
The Pied Piper was a leader.
Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Mussolini, they were all very convincing leaders.
There are more options for all of us than Leader or Lemming.
We, all of us, are able to lead from any chair and any role.
What sets us apart isn’t the bank account, or that we take better care of ourselves than others, it’s that we make the right choices for those around us, even in the midst of a storm.
Lead on.