Small Town Leaders

What? 

I grew up in Chatham, Virginia. A small, quiet town where leaders are the people that the town looks up to and trusts. Until recently, people in Chatham have lived their entire lives letting others tell them what is best for the town. Virginia Uranium is trying to mine near Chatham; many of the residents are encouraging this idea. Many of the elder residents are not happy with the idea of a company mining so close to their home. What does a town do when its leaders are encouraging something they believe should not happen? How do they express their opinions when they have relied upon others to lead for so long? What qualities will a person need to become a leader?


So What?

Before those opposing the mining can begin to protest, they must first have a leader. What qualities will this leader need? Many qualities, such as the ability to communicate and listen, are valued when it comes to leadership. The chart below, found at Leadership Freak, illustrates eight qualities that people voted on as most important.

This chart is interesting, in that the people voting thought character was much more important than courage. After deciding what qualities a new leader should have, they must decide who can be a leader. According to The Art of Leadership there are three types of leaders: teachers, heroes, and rulers. After reading this we assume anyone can be a leader if they just choose to take the lead.

Now What?

Now that the people have realized they can all be leaders, they can express their own opinions. As I watch everyone learning that they are leaders, I have come to realize that it does not take a class on leadership to be a leader. Classes can help you become a more efficient leader, but really becoming a leader is inside a person.