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Leadership: Leadership Is Similar To Putting Feathers On A Naked Eagle
by Alicia Thompson
October 23, 2007
Leaders often reach their potential when they are unexpectedly put to the test. I found myself in
this situation when I was tapped to complete Malcolm Berkley's term as president of the Black
Public Relations Society of Atlanta (BPRSA) after his relocation in 2005. Malcolm was a founding
member of the society and had served as president since its inception in 2000. He was
well-respected among constituents and left me with some very big shoes to fill.
Fulfilling my new role as BPRSA president – as overwhelming as it was – taught me a great
deal about leadership, as well as about myself. I learned quickly it required communication,
passion and commitment. Maybe most importantly, I learned leadership is about setting a positive
example for others through hard work.
Being a leader is not about getting people to listen to you or following your orders. It is
about guiding and supporting people to give their best, and balancing that guidance with an
inherent sense of responsibility. The line between good leaders and poor ones is fine.
True leadership has nothing to do with power or authority, but rather the unspoken example we
set for others.
There are three different ways a person can be powerful. There is positional power based on
status, authority and formal control. There is personal power based on expertise, skills,
personality traits, charisma and personal credibility.
And then there is influence – one's ability to affect the behavior of others in a particular
direction. Influence, like good and bad leaders, can be either positive or negative. Effective
leaders use influence positively to have an impact on their community, to drive change in an
organization and to motivate people to grow and develop.
The most influential leaders in my life have led by example – quietly showing others what
authentic leadership truly is. I try to emulate this style in my everyday life, at the office and
in my personal relationships. Leadership consists of many characteristics, and every leader
displays them in a different fashion. Overall, strong leaders exude commitment, responsiveness,
candor, trustworthiness, focus, action and courage.
Courage does not mean being fearless, but rather understanding your fear and refusing to let
it paralyze you.
I often think good leaders take on their roles not as a method of indulging in their own
vanity, but because their actions make them the natural choice. They have the best interests of
their organization close to their heart and have a truly selfl ess interest in its success and in
the success of its people.
Someone once told me – and I believe this to be true – good leaders are like eagles. When
people think of eagles, they think of strong, majestic creatures soaring across the skies and
serving as a powerful symbol of our nation. However, if you take away its feathers, an eagle only
weighs between 4 and 5 pounds. So, what makes an eagle an eagle? Heart. This is what makes a good
leader as well.
Alicia Thompson
Vice President, Communications & Public Relations Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
