It is a 37-year-old document. And for the last 164 months, I have kept it within arm’s reach on my desk. It is a copy of the speech Dr. J.W. Fanning gave to Leadership Georgia when he was named Advisor-Emeritus in 1986. It’s titled Ten Pillars of Leadership.
As we all know, the only thing easy in life is messing up. Everything worth anything takes effort to accomplish. And in most any organization, group or community, there always seems to be a rabble rouser or three. It is in times when the rabble rouser or rabble rousers are busy at work that I like to reach for my copy of the Ten Pillars of Leadership.
Dr. Fanning listed the following as his Pillars of Leadership:
• Custody of Values;
• Willingness to listen and hear;
Ability to articulate the heartfelt concerns and desires of people;
• Dispensing hope;
• Foresightedness;
• Knowledge and common sense;
• Integrity of character;
• Courage to think and act anew;
• Sharing of oneself;
• Motivating people to act.
Under each pillar, Dr. Fanning reflected on his thoughts and shared other leaders’ thoughts to support them. Oh, how I wish I could crawl back through time and sit under a shade tree with him today in Madison County to reflect on today’s events. We have become a society that has lost the ability to agree to disagree and still remain on the same team. In disagreements people turn to shouting instead of listening and trying to understand the other person’s view. It seems common sense in some instances cannot be found.
Most people still look you in the eyes when you are speaking to them. Others stare at their phones or count the cracks in the sidewalk. Many have already made up their mind before you open your mouth and cannot wait to interrupt you by blurting out something when you pause to take a breath.
Dr. Fanning said, “It is so easy to listen but not hear what is being said. A willingness to listen is an act of respect extended to those who wish to be heard. A willingness to hear is an expression of genuine interest in seeking a full understanding of what those who are heard wish to impart. An effective leader is always a good listener and seeker of understanding of what is being said. No less interest can be given, no less respect can be extended.”
Common sense is all too uncommon these days. Yes, with a few clicks of a keyboard anyone can find some answers, but not common sense. Almost daily I’m amazed at what people do and are applauded for by others. In 1986 Dr. Fanning said, “As the available body of knowledge grows to almost overwhelming proportions, so increases the responsibility to understand its practical use in the affairs of people. There is no substitute for common sense… To know a little less and to understand a little more seems to be our greatest need. Understanding is where the action is.”
Folks, we live in a challenging world. Each day I’m thankful to call this great community home. Here’s to our collective focus on seeking to fully understand what people are telling us and more common sense.
Alan NeSmith is the chairman of Community Newspapers Inc. Reach him at 706-778-4215 or anesmith@TheNortheast Georgian.com.