General Dwight Eisenhower would demonstrate the art of leadership with a piece of string. He’d put it on a table and say: “PULL it and it will follow wherever you wish. PUSH it and it will go nowhere at all. It’s just that way when it comes to leading people. They need to follow a person who is leading by example.”
At another time he said, “You do not lead by hitting people over the head — that’s assault, not leadership.”
My Commentary:
Imagine General Dwight Eisenhower standing before a group of military officers with a simple piece of string. He places it on a table and pulls it. The string follows effortlessly. Then he pushes it. Nothing happens.
His lesson? You cannot push people into becoming good followers. You must inspire them to follow.
Eisenhower also said, “You do not lead by hitting people over the head. That’s assault, not leadership.”
What a lesson for today’s political, religious, and business leaders! Too often, leadership is confused with power, intimidation, threats, and demanding obedience.
But Jesus taught something radically different. At the Last Supper, He knelt before His disciples and washed their feet. Imagine that! The Son of God, on His knees, serving those He was called to lead.
Then He told them, “I have given you an example, so that you also should do as I have done to you.” Jesus didn’t lead by humiliation or fear. He led through love, humility, courage, and personal example.
And that challenges every one of us, whether we’re leading a nation, a parish, a family, or simply influencing a friend.
So here’s my challenge to every leader:
Stop asking how much power you have. Ask how much good you are doing with it.
Stop demanding loyalty. Start earning trust.
Stop telling others what they should do. Show them by the way you live.
And to those of us who choose our leaders, let’s stop confusing loud voices with strong character, intimidation with courage, and popularity with integrity.
Jesus didn’t say, “Make people…. serve you.” He said, “Serve one another.”
The true test of leadership isn’t how many people follow you. It’s how many people become better by serving one another.
Of all the people YOU have encountered in your life, which ones helped you the most to become the person God created you to be?
DON’T JUST COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. BE THE BLESSING THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN COUNT ON!!
