Leader – It’s Not a Title!

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Shawn Boone and La’Zendra Bossard collaborate on a leadership class project.

by Charles Martinez

The single most challenging obstacle to the success of leadership efforts has been the lack of a unifying message that addresses the vision of a collaborative process between all segments of our American community.

The challenge today is that each person should carve out his or her individual niche in the road toward unity. The common theme has become, “That sounds good, but what’s in it for me?” Whether discussing athletics, politics, social reform, or community initiatives, the concept of personal reward or benefit has become a standard expectation. 

However, when there
is an inherent expectation or a hesitation to act until a “return on
investment” is established, the good that could be accomplished becomes
diluted and thus weakened. No community, nation, or people can
accomplish significant and effective change in the face of competing
agendas and a lack of collective focus.

As we
build a coalition of leadership and action, we must recognize that
inherent conflicts will arise. We must also realize and understand the
critical difference between conflict and confrontation. Conflicts will
be differences in chosen or preferred processes and policies. Now is
not the time to be timid or hesitate to embrace diversity of ideas and
the creative conflict that it produces. If personal agendas are
genuinely set aside, our vision, focus, and direction will once again
become cohesive and collective.

Regardless
of which ethnic or cultural community we come from, the goal of
inclusive equality should be our message and the culmination of our
efforts. This leads to another question of conscience. Within your
local community, city, or county, what have you done to build a shared
and collaborative leadership change? We cannot forget that as we “build
bridges,” we also have the opportunity to become a bridge ourselves.

Don’t
wait for a unity bridge to be built. Share your experience, skills, and
passion now! “Leader” is not a title: it is an attitude with the
courage to act. Mentoring a student, sponsoring a community forum, or
creating a collaborative partnership simply requires the courage to
begin, which will build a venue to share the message of collaboration —
unity and equality.

How will you choose to participate?