Kevin P. Inge
(I'm in the process of reading Martin Luther King Jr. On Leadership
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Inspiration & Wisdom For Challenging Times by Donald T. Philips)
A major portion on my unit will be on developing leadership skills in my students. This book will be very useful in establishing many principles regarding leadership skills. Philips touches on several essential components that make for an outstanding leader. As Philips goes through the Civil Rights Movement he focuses on the leadership skills of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The first chapter of this book discusses the importance of listening skills. The skilled art of listening has basically 4 benefits in helping people who want to be leaders:
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1) It builds trust
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2) Facilitates understanding of the people's aspirations and expectations
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3) Enables learning
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4) Fosters connection and rapport with others
Chapter 3 focuses on the importance of being a life-long learner. "In general, great leaders anticipate setbacks. They expect to make mistakes because they understand that when an individual is out in front making things happen, events will not always turn out perfectly. People who are not continuous learners tend to keep making the same mistakes. And when that happens, nothing of value is ever achieved. The innate capacity for continual learning is, in fact, a tool for achievement. And achievement must be part of a leader's constitution because people will not long listen to or follow an individual who is unable to accomplish something over the long term."(Page 82)
Chapter 8 addresses setting goals and creating a detailed plan of action. It is important that our youth ponder the wisdom of this chapter. Many youth/people are living lives without any true direction. Students need to realize that success is a process and one can get there despite their circumstances. There's a need for all of us to surround ourselves with people of wisdom and integrity. We must be dedicated and committed to the positive agendas we're inspiring to achieve.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, while recruiting for their organization, required future members to sign the following "Birmingham Pledge":(Page 158)
I hereby pledge myself--my person and body--to the nonviolent movement. There I will keep the following ten commandments.
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1. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
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2. Remember always that the nonviolent in Birmingham seek justice and reconciliation--not victory
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3. Walk and Talk in the manner of love, for God is love.
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4. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
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5. Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
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6. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
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7. Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.
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8. Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
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9. Strive to be good in spiritual and bodily health.
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10. Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.
Chapter 15 deals with having the Courage to lead. Dr. King once stated, The people are looking for leadership--and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter." It takes courage to be a great leader. "Martin King defined courage as 'the power of the mind to overcome fear" and "the determination not to be overwhelmed by any object.' He believed that courage was 'an inner resolution to go forward in spite of obstacles and frightening situations': that 'courage breeds creative self-affirmation'; and that 'courage faces fear and thereby masters it.' As a result, he constantly preached to people in the movement that 'the forces that threaten to negate life must be challenged by courage.' 'We must not permit adverse winds to overwhelm us as we journey across life's Atlantic,' he told the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1967. 'We must be sustained by engines of courage in spite of the winds. This refusal to be stopped, this courage to be, this determination to go on in spite of, is the hallmark of great movements." (Page 306)
I look forward to reading and discussing Philip's book with my students. I believe it will help inspire my students to have no alternative but to keep moving with determination towards their dreams.
