You Can't Lead 'Til You Stoop

I am not qualified to write on this subject of leadership, but my heart is. Everybody has an idea of what leadership means to him or her personally. Leadership to me is simply this: stoop first, then lead. How can you lead someone from something if you don't feel it first? Do you know what it is like to lose a child; stoop and imagine your own child never again dropping everything in a race to hug your kneecaps as you come home from an agonizing day. Do you know how it feels to have the love of your life walk out on you; stoop first before you tell an employee to take care of their personal problems on their own time- saying things like” check your emotional baggage at the gate.” A salesperson is begging to race to the bank to deposit his draw check- hoping to outrun the rent check already written; stoop first before you decide, with your grandiose management power to hold the check until closing time-because you can. As a grown man tearfully stares into the eyes of his “manager” fearfully wondering if he can provide for his family in this rejection infested business; stoop first, before you tell him to man up; it’s a numbers game.

We don’t all learn to swim the same; some get pushed into the deep end and have to fend for their own lives; others begin with floaties. Just because you made it one way doesn’t mean another will. You can manage processes, not people. It's not the words you speak that make you a leader, for words can be hollow; it's what you stooped for-the non-judgmental acts that speak louder than mere words.

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Comment by NANCY SIMMONS on June 16, 2011 at 10:22pm: Thanks Marsh...sharing my story and witnessing my faith has always served to be therapeutic for me as well... Try to be kind to everyone you meet...You never know what sort of personal battles they are fighting!

Comment by Marsh Buice on June 16, 2011 at 10:04pm: @BC don't know if I am my brother, just trying to do the best with what I got. I appreciate you as always sir.

Comment by Marsh Buice on June 16, 2011 at 10:03pm: @Nancy, what a beautiful share!! Your transparency and strength is why you are a true leader. Thank you for being open; I love that! You made my night...isnt it amazing what we think we wont make it through makes us stronger on the other side. God puts us through things so that we can relate to others. Thank you so much for your leadership.

Comment by NANCY SIMMONS on June 16, 2011 at 9:08pm

Marsh...What do you mean you are not qualified to write on this subject? You are a true blue leader and I have goose bumps from reading this post and uncovering your genuine humility and authentic compassion for mankind.

This hit home for me big time... My daughter, Brooke passed away in 1992 and my husband walked out on me in 2006! I came close to losing my home to forclosure and I watched my sister lay in a coma for months after being hit head on by a drunk driver. But before I experienced those losses, I always tried to put myself in the shoes of those suffering from trials and tribulations...I always was able to find someone with a worst situation than my own! I believe my sincere concern assisted me in becoming a leader rather than a "manager". People who worked with me never found themselves forced to lie about their situation...that would be disrespectful to my honest desire to help them... Stoop before you lead...and while your down there...extend a hand to offer a lift...the power of a helping hand will provide loyalty, trust, respect which could never be gained by monetary compensation! People will never forget how you made them feel!

Comment by Tony Provost on June 16, 2011 at 7:37pm: MB. I Totally agree.

Comment by Marsh Buice on June 16, 2011 at 7:20pm: Thanks TP..I am grateful for the opportunity to lead. I feed off of u and others' posts.

Comment by Tony Provost on June 16, 2011 at 7:09pm: MB. People must gravitate to you. You are one GROUNDED leader. You truly see the whole picture, not just the scenes. Great Job!