Semantics of Enlightenment and Leadership

0 Comments 19 October 2011

This is a guest post by Jack Lundee of Everything Left and Shades of Green. Semantics of Enlightenment and Leadership A leader usually has the ability to influence and change his environment, circumstances and even other people.

By being a leader you’re taking control over your life and you’ve the opportunity to accomplish wonderful things like:

peace between countries as a politician or a fortune 500 company as an entrepreneur.

What constitutes somebody as a leader?

Well according to Google’s definition: “The Person who leads or commands a group, organization or country.” However, I believe a leader to be somebody who practices integrity, or abides by a few simple ethical principles. Likewise, I would consider a leader to be somebody who’s enlightened. Here’s why:

Somebody that constantly follows a set of moral life rules will eventually fall into a leadership position, whether it is for an instance in time or many years. Possessing integrity means that you are prone to entertain things like manners, respect, honesty and commitment.

However all of these traits can’t successfully be achieved without having a rational and well-informed outlook on life, which also works in accordance with your perception of the things around you.

So, if integrity is dependent on enlightenment, or a rational outlook on life, and enlightenment is dependent on your thought process as a human being, then it stems back to beliefs and behavior.

You see, in order to reach a certain level of respect for others and yourself, you must always remember to address your surroundings and relationships in a positive light. In other words, having the clear understanding that morality is important in exercising each and every life situation will lead you on a more righteous path.

Being an enlightened leader

A great example of an enlightened leader (and not to sound cliche) would be the former President, Clinton. Alongside close confident Doug Band, Clinton has achieved some wonderful things and created some groundbreaking organizations like the Clinton Global Initiative.

Founded in 2005, the collaborative unit of world leaders, nonprofits and business professionals tackled some of the world’s most pressing issues including poverty alleviation, educational development, climate change and more.

Clinton and Band were able to see a world in need of desperate help in the areas listed above. Through their strong believes and ideas, they provide commitments to action which continue to earn them respect and integrity.

Nonetheless, they yield traits of enlightened leaders, which is why they’re both great models for helping us appreciate the connection between integrity, leadership and enlightenment. As long as you’re utilizing a bit of common sense, the three will always fall into place, and eventually lead you to an ethical, successful and happy life.