I was lucky enough to win free tickets to a private pre-screening of Spooks before it hits cinemas this week, courtesy of O2. I was a bit apprehensive, having never watched the series before, but thankfully it was a "walk in blind" plot & what a stellar plot it was. Luckily for you all (as it means no spoilers) what I found most interesting was actually in the title itself; leaders working for the greater good. As a Christian, this theme is not alien to me as I believe Jesus committed the ultimate sacrifice upon the cross. Somehow, it sounds unreal, somewhat idealistic; leadership through servanthood, but people in positions of authority have to make such decisions each and every day! Spooks encouraged me to dissect the thought-process of a good leader, and the characteristics that set such individuals apart from their peers.
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way" John C. Maxwell
Duster Trench Coat : Thrifted | Bodysuit : H&M | Trousers : Wallis
"A good leader is not a searcher...but a moulder of consensus" Dr. MLK Jr.
What struck me were the different characteristics of the leaders showcased; manipulative, selfish, acting without self-doubt...the list was endless, but multidimensional. Good leaders and bad leaders could be told apart by the motive behind their actions (i.e. Selfish vs Selfless), but more interestingly, the best leader steered clear of the spotlight, allowing others to shine in his place.
O2 Greenwich
"A good leader takes a little more than his/her share of the blame, a little less than his/her share of the credit" Arnold H. Glasow
Deflecting praise/ spotlight need not be self-deprecating, but a means of encouraging others to step up to responsibility (and perhaps even lightening your own workload in the process?). As a Sunday school teacher, what I've found enlightening of late (in my effort to instil a sense of leadership in the younger generation) is those who thirst for the limelight often find themselves knocked down at the earliest hurdle. Taking a step back allows you to better assess the situation, and act in the best interest of all concerned, not just oneself. Thus making you a better leader than the megalomaniac emperor in new clothes.
Bag : Warehouse | Watch : Guess (Bicester Village) | Sneakers : River Island
"A leader's job is not to do the work of others, it's to help others figure out how to do it themselves" Simin Sinek
What I loved most was the last 10-15mins of the movie; the climax. Aside from the action & general ghen-ghe'ness of the shooting & what have you, the lesson was that we all have leadership innately built within us! It's up to you whether you choose to seize that quality or not...and how you choose to use it also. The good leader taught a man to fish & sent him on his merry way to fend for himself with invaluable skills that won't steer him wrong, and the bad leader ended up jeopardising lives, their's being no exception. Take heed.
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists" Lao Tzu
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