Leadership
By: Quacy Hammonds
“Leadership
is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he
wants to do it.”– Dwight D. Eisenhower.
As
an administrator of the DeKalb County School District for over 20 years, I’ve
watched my father execute a routine of managing a school, being a husband, and
raising two young boys all while coaching our youth football team in the
afternoon. By no means was it easy, yet every task was met with guidance and
wisdom. My dad has shared with me a lot of the knowledge he’s gained throughout
his life.
Each
life lesson helped me to shape my own vision of who I am and where I’ve come
from. His experience as a leader started at Fort Valley State University in the
ROTC program. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and graduated in 1989
from FVSU. He received some of the best leadership training in the military as
an officer. He’s shown me that to be a leader you have to be able to influence
others to see and believe in their vision enough to work to bring it to
fruition. To be a successful leader, one must have a vision, be able to
articulate the vision, motivate others to become engaged in that vision and
then train them so that they are more effective at achieving that vision. As he
moved on in education by stepping out of the classroom as an administrator, he’s
had many experiences and opportunities to work with great individuals who have
taught him to delegate, listen to his staff and seek understanding before being
understood.
“Now, Son, one thing I learned early,” stretching his neck left and right, pulling
to loosen his tie, “in ROTC program is ‘When
in charge, take charge. Leaders lead out front!’” my father would say.
We
all may not be natural born leaders. It takes a high level of courage,
selflessness, and remaining humble through the success; as well as showing
resilience in the midst of failures. There is no clear-cut definition to what a
leader is. You must be willing to put yourself last, and the group first. A
great leader is able to step up when needed, but also step back to allow others
the opportunity to lead. Leadership isn’t a title, or job position; it’s apart
of your character, the example you set, and the inspiration you bring into the
lives of others both professionally and personally.
