James Strock
credit | Howard Chandler Christy, Public Domain via Wikipedia
Sept. 17, 1787, is the date on which the United States Constitution was read and engrossed in final form at the constitutional convention. Benjamin Franklin, then 81 years old, was too frail to make a speech; but his written remarks were read aloud by his fellow-member of the Pennsylvania delegation, James Wilson. At the dawn of the 21st century, with Americans reflecting on first principles, Franklin’s guidance remains timely:
Malala Yousafzai. UK Department for International Development [CC 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons.
Where can we find them?
The premise–stated or unstated–is that there’s a leadership gap today.
Who can argue against the spectacular failures of leadership in large institutions? They range from the White House and Congress (whether in the hands of the Democrats or Republicans); to Wall Street and back around to Main Street; in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors (including religious institutions); around the world.
It’s easy–perhaps too easy–to find reason for disappointment. And yet… there is also reason for optimism.
It’s often said that these are among the worst of times for leadership… it’s also, arguably, the best of times.
This list is updated quarterly. Please send your suggestions of other inspiring 21st century leaders.
The cliché is that every day should be Earth Day.
We’ve all become more attuned to the ways in which all of our actions–individually and collectively–can create environmental costs.
In the nature of things, we also have more opportunities to serve and lead as environmental stewards.
21st century environmental leadership is emerging in distinctive ways from its 20th century antecedents.
Serve to Lead is about the new world of 21st century leadership.
There are a number of blogs that I admire and learn from as I strive to advance my service. My take on the best is presented below, updated for 2018.
The list that follows includes entries focused on specific applications and competencies, as well as general leadership-related blogs.
Blogging is an evolving phenomenon. It enables individuals and teams and organizations and an array of stakeholders to interact and create value in untold ways.
For some, blogging may be a daily or weekly exercise. For others, it may be less frequent or regular, more in the nature of monthly or quarterly periodicals. Blogs are increasingly crafted with an eye toward making them “evergreen,” timely over time. The emphasis on providing immediate responses has, increasingly, moved toward creating a living resource.
A key aspect of blogging is that its permutations are infinite. For some time, they tended to be stand-alone entities. Communities might arise around the essays and comments. More recently, the rise of sophisticated bots, the time-suck of trolls, and the increasing interconnections of social media have prompted change.
Blogs are, increasingly, a personalized resource and gateway into the writer’s chosen array of social media channels. Thus one sees some using Facebook, Quora, Twitter or other venues as their primary ongoing communication, tethered to blogs. Some primarily write; others primarily curate; most create a personalized mix of the two.
Through the links below, one can enter the ecosystems of many outstanding teachers and practitioners. The list below extends from blogging to social media and new media generally.
Please send your ideas
for additional or alternative selections or categories. As is customary in the 21st century, this is offered as a living document, a work in progress.
Thank you for your service.
–JMS
Mike Myatt posted excellent thoughts on leadership a while back, riffing off the beloved standard, A Little Help From My Friends. Mike’s ideas got me reflecting a bit on the landmark anniversary of which that song is a memorable part….
James Strock