Stretch,
Excellence, and Leadership
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“I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been
somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.” |
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--Terry
Malloy (Marlon Brando) in On the
Waterfront |
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Tragedy. Utter personal human tragedy. That’s what the quote above reveals about
the central character in the 1954 Elia Kazan film classic.
Every
individual person has potential which may be fulfilled or neglected. And the discovery too late, after the
opportunity has passed, of unrealized fulfillment is the deepest of human
tragedy.
When purpose,
principles, and values are matched to human
potential and result in commitment we have the measure of personal quality. This is completely independent of time or
achievement.
Stretch is the personal acknowledgment
that one does not know his or her potential limits but commits to quality
anyway. Individuals who embrace stretch
achieve human excellence whether or not their activities succeed or fail.
Human
potentials, associated quality, stretch and excellence may be classified in
many abstract dimensions, such as morality, athletic ability, business prowess,
family, intellect. However, a person is
one, not “many.” This is the
meaning of integrity. A person has but one spirit, and “compartmentalized”
excellence is an oxymoron. Performance
may be different in different areas.
Leadership is the ability of a person
to inspire excellence in others. All
else follows: the affirmation of quality, stretch, commitment. Leadership is, of course, the fulfillment of
a human potential, and thus an example itself
of the excellence it asks for in others.
We shouldn’t ask or expect leaders to have the “functional expertise”
which they often inspire others to.
This is because true excellence is one, is universal, and does not come
in varieties.
m. e. doherty
9/9/98
© 2002 Michael E. Doherty