Martin Luther King Jr.- A Real Leader

Monday is Martin Luther King Day in the United States.  For many this is a day off from work, but on this day WE celebrate the life and work of one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known. Please take a few minutes and reflect on a leader that helped shape a world of freedom.

MLK was a leader that expressed qualities that we are all looking for.    MLK addressed conflict straight on, engaged more than the mind....he engaged the heart, he would not settle, moved with a sence of urgent passion, motivated others to act vs. reacting, and painted a vision that was obtainable. Take some time to reflect on the past and how we as leaders can embrace learning opportunities.  

Here are some quotes from MLK speech:

"In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

March 20, 1775 Patrick Henry closed with this quote, "Give me Liberty, or Give me Death". A little less than 200 years later MLK continued to fight for all men to have life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

"But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so we have come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!"

"I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today!"

"I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”

Leaders, I have said so many times the past carries a wealth of knowledge that we MUST rely on as a critical resource for moving forward.  Our leaders of this great country fought for and taught  valuable lessons so that we could move beyond these obstacles.  

MLK believed in his work, his work had a greater purpose, he went for the goal, and planted a Vision! MLK defined Leadership.

MLK, "We are not makers of history. We are made by history."