Leadership Is Not for Leaders

I am working on a Documentary about Detroit and some educational developments there. I shot with the executive producer and different crews for over three years, and in particular we were studying the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan. I am going through over 500 hours of footage to refine it down to 120 minutes. It started and has continued in controversy from it’s first twinkling the Governor’s eye. This post isn’t about that, however I have many ideas that have been generated by this work and I’m sure they will be a part of this or anot

her blog going forward. In a recent review of an interview a simple but too often not understood statement was made I think is worth talking about… basically leaders don’t lead.

Real Leadership… the kind the captain of the ship has, the kind the commander has in the field, the kind an entrepreneur has when he lays his entire life on the line for their dream… that leadership shouldn’t be confused with political leaders. Politicians don’t lead… they follow… they rarely if ever lead true change because they are invested with the status quo, and through that the past. Their interest is in perpetuating the system that got them there… not in changing it. No matter what they say. Campaign finance? Should be dealt with… however [I’ll] take every dime I can get. I think it’s clear.

What I have discovered working on this I guess shouldn’t come as a shock… this comment about leadership was said by someone who has been around the block a few times and has seen change first hand.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

She was not speaking about their leaders.