Orrin Woodward: Leadership equals greater responsibility…not greater privileges!
A guiding principle that Orrin Woodward has instilled within his organization is that with greater leadership roles come greater responsibility, not more perks and special treatment. This is hard for some people in today’s society to understand. Many feel that once they reach a certain position within the a company, achieve a certain rank in the military, or in the case of many of some of our political leaders...get elected to office...that they now have special perks and privileges that allow them to roam free unchained by the laws and regulations of the common man.
Look at the Hollywood elite that seem to live above the law endlessly getting a slap on the wrist for things that the common citizen would do jail time over. Some of our politicians think they can break the law, take bribes, and operate totally independent of the judicial system with impunity. It has become so reckless on both sides of the aisle in congress that many are now saying we need a good house cleaning from top to bottom for both parties. With the recent arrests and investigations of Congressman Duke Cunningham of California and Congressman Jefferson from Louisiana we are seeing the very abuses of power in our nation’s capital that a few years ago we witnessed in some of the board rooms of major companies like Enron, Global Crossing, and Arther Anderson.
Americans have become disenfranchised with their leaders and heroes because of this behavior. They are tired of the dirty deals the politicians finagle for themselves. These “special deals” the politicians dole out to friends, family, and lobbyists profiting from this while at the same time trying to act like there is integrity within the political system and they are following the law. They are tired of the scandalized sports heroes testifying before congress that they are clean only to be caught red handed testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Through these dishonest acts, the athletes gave themselves a “special deal” over the rest of the competition. Thus, they made the playing field unequal and disgraced the hallowed records of the game. Everywhere you look you see so called leaders and heroes disgracing themselves by engaging in dishonorable behavior.
Orrin Woodward has a famous article he wrote titled, “Where have the heroes gone?” which explores this multi faceted question by looking throughout American history and our development as a nation and what has changed over that time. He states that for the greatest part of our history that the true measure of man was of his character and integrity and not his worldly possessions. Yet, sadly times have changed.
Looking at the heroes we exalt today one can see we have strayed far off track. Our politicians give great election speeches but disgrace themselves in scandalous activities. Our sports heroes tell children not to do drugs as they participate in public service announcements yet those same athletes get caught cheating the game and the fans by using steroids.
Orrin’s question rings loud and true, “Where have all the heroes gone?” More importantly than the question is his answer….we need leaders who will stand tall and stand for what is right. We need men and women of character and integrity that take responsibility for their lives and their actions. America needs people that no matter what profession or calling they are in commit themselves to make America a better place to live and work.
Orrin teaches that everyone acting together as a team can foster change in their communities, schools, churches, local, state, and federal governments. With everyone working together doing their part, everyone can develop into a leader who can be make a difference in the world and be a hero in someone’s life.
Orrin Woodward is respected within his industry and highly sought after to speak at leadership and business meetings around the country because of his passion to make a difference in America and because he is a man of principle who stands for what is right. He teaches and even more importantly abides by timeless principles of leadership that are admired and respected, yet are so hard to find in many of our so called leaders today. There are many people who love to talk the talk but at the end of the day it all boils down to who actually lives the life they preach and teach. Orrin is respected because he teaches the principles he actually lives.
It has been said many times that “those who can’t do…teach.” Unfortunately many leaders today espouse certain beliefs yet in their private lives fall short of the principles they ask others to follow. Orrin Woodward continues to live each day following the principles that inspired him and Chris Brady to write their best selling book, Launching a Leadership Revolution. By doing so, he has achieved a great deal of success and is also changing America in the process by helping other leaders make personal changes and grow in their business as well. It is time to create some heroes in America we all can be proud of and that our children can look up to as a true example. Whether an athlete, politician, or business leader, anyone can be a true American hero if they commit to doing what is right and making a difference in their community.
