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_IN THIS COLUMN, MEMBERS OF GEORGIA HUMANITIES AND THEIR COLLEAGUES TAKE TURNS DISCUSSING GEORGIA’S HISTORY AND CULTURE, AND OTHER TOPICS THAT MATTER. THROUGH DIFFERENT VOICES, WE HEAR
DIFFERENT STORIES._ By Jamil Zainaldin A trip down the main aisle of most any bookstore will make it clear that leadership continues to be a hot topic in our 21st century. What I as an
historian find interesting, however, is that this greatly admired trait, once commonly applied exclusively to male war heroes or politicians or industrial leaders, is now generally
recognized as a gift or skill that also includes women, men, and young people from the highest rungs of the corporate ladder to one’s immediate family. True leadership is the story of
success, not for one’s self, but for others. From the time of its founding as a colony to the present, Georgia has been blessed by an abundance of truly sterling leaders from all walks of
life whose impact has been and is positive and inspirational. Consider this extremely abbreviated list, a sampling from all sectors — business, government, the nonprofit realm, and
volunteerism: Ivan Allen Jr., Ellis Arnall, Arthur Blank, Bill Bolling, W. C. Bradley, Asa Candler, Gen. Lucius Clay, Ann Cramer, John Wesley Dobbs, J. W. Fanning, Grace Towns Hamilton, the
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Lucy Craft Laney, W. W. Law, Dr. Crawford Long, Benjamin Mays, Ralph McGill, James Edward Oglethorpe, Frances Pauley, Billy Payne, Alicia Philipp, Jackie
Robinson, J. Mack Robinson, Herman J. Russell, Robert Shaw, Betty Siegel, Dr. Louis Sullivan, Robert W. Woodruff, and Andrew Young. (Read about them in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.) What an
incredible testimonial to the wealth, depth, and diversity of human capacity that grace our state. These are people to remember — and emulate. My professional life (20 years of it in
Georgia) has been involved with nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, government agencies, schools, major businesses, and philanthropies. The truly effective leaders I have
observed seem to share similar inclinations and ways of functioning in the world, regardless of the sector from which they come or their scale of leadership (I’ve witnessed some of the most
effective leadership in families, classrooms, and church-run soup kitchens and bargain shops). 1. They never lie. Their word is their gold. 2. They aspire for all that is meaningful and
valuable in their lives. They know and are true to themselves. 3. They live with care and responsibility, revealing a vision that without compassion, communities can flounder and along with
them, their leaders. Their compassionate participation in communities they are part of, large or small, reveals a respect for the inherent dignity of each individual and the community’s
potential for self-actualization. 4. They see victory as a slow and steady accretion of integrity in support of a worthy vision — not a single bold move. They compete for excellence and
worth, rather than with other people. 5. They are generous and values-based, making them worthy of trust. They know that a single good deed, like a pebble dropped in a pond, can send ripples
to the farthest shore. It is practically a truism to say that good leaders are selfless. 6. They are respectful, and tend to err on the side of the positive in their opinions of others —
because they are aware of their own faults and weaknesses. They are willing to take risks, and are willing to follow, too, when necessary. They know that true leaders are not self-anointed.
7. They mind their egos (we all have one). Every great civilization and faith tradition knows this fundamental truth: the ability to conquer one’s self is the greatest victory of all. 8.
They find and appreciate the sacred in their work. They also respect the work of others, knowing that work in itself is sacred. True leaders see themselves in service to others and to
ideals. 9. They listen and carefully observe. They know it is hard to learn anything if you are always doing the talking. 10. They are “in it for the long haul.” Leadership is not an
egoistic goal, but a means. Their standing as leaders grows from a string of life-long choices and decisions. They know that how they live their lives — to their full extent — is inseparable
from the total impact that they as leaders will have. 11. They always deliver. This does not mean they are immune to failure and disappointment: that comes with the turf. But they are
credible, doing what they say and saying what they do. One of the most important reasons to study the past through literature, music, drama, and history is to gain insight into the potential
of the human being as well as inspiration from the lives and deeds of particular individuals. The stories of both our ancestors and our compatriots help to highlight the traits that are
essential for elevating shared values, resolving crises, pursuing justice, and promoting the public good. Another truth we gain from the study of history is that societies rise or fall on
the quality and number of their leaders. Remember, if you are a leader, you are always being observed. What do you want people to know about you? What leaders would you add to my list? What
are some of their other distinctive qualities? Which of those traits would you like to impart to the next generation? _An earlier version of this column appeared previously under “Jamil’s
Georgia.”_ _Kelly Caudle of Georgia Humanities provides editorial assistance for the “Jamil’s Georgia” columns._ _RELATED POSTS_