The forces for good and evil
in the world are propelled by the thoughts, attitudes, and actions of individual
beings. What happens to our values, and therefore to the quality of our
civilization in the future, will be shaped by the conceptions of individuals
that are born of inspiration. Perhaps only a few will receive this inspiration
(insight) and the rest will learn from them. The very essence of leadership,
going out ahead to show the way, derives from more than usual openness to
inspiration. Why would anybody accept the leadership of another except that the
other sees more clearly where it is best to go? Perhaps this is the current
problem: too many who presume to lead do not see more clearly and, in defense
of their inadequacy, they all the more strongly argue that the “system” must be
preserved a fatal error in this day of candor.
But the leader needs more
than inspiration. A leader ventures to say: “I will go; come with me!” A leader
initiates, provides the ideas and the structure, and takes the risk of failure along
with the chance of success. A leader says: “I will go; follow me!” while
knowing that the path is uncertain, even dangerous. One then trusts those who
go with one’s leadership. Paul Goodman, speaking through a character in Making
Do, has said, “If there is no community for you, young man, young man,
make it yourself.”
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