Leadership in Adversity

As an Additions Professional of over 20 years and a Leadership "Student" of, sadly, only Two or Three, I was impressed today by the candid and honest comments that Justin Timberlake made regarding his guilty plea to Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI).

What impressed me the most though, is that despite the fact he may have wealth, it was not above him to utilize his adversity to empower and lift others to do better, because he himself had not done so. This is a man who realized he had to do better. That he had not held himself to his own standards, and if he did not do that, how could he expect as a "Role Model" (aka Leader) to empower others to reach toward their own high standards? This is an example of what true leadership is about. It's not just about accepting our own actions, but accepting the responsibility that we ALL should have an POSITIVE impact on others. A spirit of encouragement and empowerment. He did what he did, he's learned. In my search for leadership skills, this is what I strive for.

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, Do Better" - Maya Angelou

Sound Familiar?