Thomas Paine on leadership: “The World Is My country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”

Also, “Suspicion is the companion of mean souls and the bane of all good societies.”

As it often does against my wishes, some news popped up on my iPhone, and I was looking for a way to turn it off. I got upset over what I heard and went into healing mode. I decided to research leadership and its meaning over the years. I want to be a patriot; I can’t live in shock for long. Perhaps I will always need a fire to put out somewhere in my head.

We can’t survive without laughter and irony, so I researched leadership for hours. Here is what I came up with.  When something upsets me, I start to read.

I never tell anyone what to do or believe. Please take what you’d like from this. I think you should be smiling at least once. It just feels better.

America started as the most patriotic nation on earth.

Somewhere, we lost the meaning and passion for patriotism, which seems to be one of those “woke” ideas now, like me. History might remind us to think about leadership. I admit what I found was a bit jaw-dropping. It is also hopeful if you wish it to be. I never give up hope.

Freedom is much too big an idea to die on social media.

“But a Constitution of Government, once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” — John Adams

”I’ve come to believe that a leader is anyone who holds her – or himself accountable for finding potential in people and processes.” – Brene Brown.

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The Traits of A Middle School Bully According to Psychologists:

Verbal Bullying includes name-calling, unfriendly teasing, insults, and making threats.

Social Bullying involves spreading rumors or lies, intentionally embarrassing someone, or leaving someone out of a group.

Physical Bullying occurs when the bully hurts someone or their property. It includes hitting, tripping, stealing, and forcing someone to do something they don’t want to do.

Cyber Bullying is any bullying that happens digitally. It can occur in texts, social media, video games, and anywhere people connect online.

Then there are the elements of harassment, bullying’s first cousin: I’ve met them all, as have many of you reading this:

Bullying conduct may include, but is not limited to, jokes, slurs, epithets, name-calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance.

At the moment, this doesn’t sound like leadership. It sounds like the America I see and hear about on the news.

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Traits of a leader through history according to Historians:

Empathy means being able to understand and share the feelings of others and to see things from another person’s point of view.

Accountability.

Being able to follow through on commitments. Taking ownership of successes and failures. Admitting when they wreak havoc wrong. Holding themselves and their team members accountable.

Other traits of leaders include Decisiveness, Trustworthiness, Self-Awareness, Courage, Respect, Compassion, Honesty, and Resilience.

“A good leader should have integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. They should be learning agile and flex their influence while communicating the vision, showing gratitude, and collaborating effectively.”

– Center For Creative Leadership.

A leader guides and inspires others to achieve a common goal.  Leaders often take initiative, make decisions, and help their team succeed.  (Maybe cry just a bit.)