[May 19, 2016] This past weekend, U.S. Justice Clarence Thomas gave a commencement speech at Hillsdale College that differs from most speeches at colleges these days and is worth watching in full (see link here). It differs from most commencements speeches because it was about how to ensure liberty; to do so by carrying out the important duty of its citizens. Likewise, we could ask what our most important duty is as leaders.
“At risk of understating what is necessary to preserve liberty in our form of government, I think more and more it depends on good citizens discharging their daily duties and obligations. Sadly, today it seems as though grievances rather than personal conduct are the means of elevation …” – U.S. Justice Clarence Thomas1
The need for good leaders is self-evident to those who practice and study leadership. Furthermore, every adult understands that great leadership is hard to come by even during the best of times. Perhaps it’s surprising that most of us do not know what the most important duty of a leader is. A good friend of mine says great leadership is like a great painting to the masses, we know it when we see a good one but we cannot explain it.
The most important duty of leaders is to take care of people. Simple. It’s not undertaking a mission and succeeding because without the people who are responsible for the work, nothing good can be accomplished. Taking care of people is the foundation upon which everything is built. We can talk all day about the qualities of a leader but those who don’t care about or take care of their people will ultimate fail.
Leadership means being responsible for those daily tasks that ensure everyone around us is taken care of. This is the ultimate goal of any leader with know-how; any leader who has been through difficult times, overcome difficult obstacles, and experienced failure. Without the people who are part of the leader’s organization, family, or network, nothing can be done. Thus, taking care of people and showing they care is the epitome of great leadership.
Clarence Thomas said that liberty requires constant attention, dedicated citizens, and hard work. It means being proactive. The same applies to good leadership. Leadership is hard and not for the faint of heart or the weak of mind. Our duty as leaders will be tested and no one can predict what will come of those tests. But a leader who has done their duty will succeed because of motivation of the many to do the job.
Whether in the military, the commercial sector, our churches, in government, or our families, no mission or task will get done without the support and caring of others.
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