Leadership expert John C. Maxwell, whom I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for, asserts that “everything rises and falls on leadership.” I don’t think there’s any better way to say it. The importance of leadership cannot be understated. How successful an organization is ultimately leads back to its leadership, or lack of. If you trace the success of a company back to its origin, you will see the root is always exceptional leadership. Whether it be a non-profit organization, a large conglomerate, a sports franchise, an elementary school, or a small mom-and-pop diner, leadership is the most influencing factor of achieving and sustaining success.

Great Leadership is Rare

I had over forty professors during my time in college, but I would estimate that about three or four really stand out to me. The reason they stand out to me is because they were leaders, and every student in the classroom knew it. They genuinely cared for each student and wanted to see improvement and growth.

Dr. Vincent Mumford was an influencing person during my time at school. I was lucky enough to have him for two different classes. His leadership reached every student because he was able to get students out of their comfort zone and push each and every individual to improve. In the beginning of each semester, he would cast a vision for the class. He would set expectations of us and of himself. He fulfilled those expectations, and as much as we sometimes didn’t want to, he pushed us and made us grow.

Thanks to him, my classmates and I were able to put on a sand volleyball tournament that we put together in under three weeks. It was a fundraiser for Special Olympics that raised nearly $1,000. In another class, we raised funds and donations for the Student Emergency Fund, which aids students who find themselves in an emergency and need financial assistance. Undoubtedly, it was because of Dr. Mumford’s leadership that my classmates and I were able to have the success that we had.

Professor Gary Gagnon, the Professor of the Year in the state of Michigan in 2005, is another professor that stands out because of his leadership. A hospitality teacher, his enthusiasm is contagious. With his knowledge and experiences, he was able to reach the students through generating excitement. He talked about his travels and experiences in the hospitality industry and really opened our eyes to the world. His leadership planted the seed in everyone to want to explore and learn. Andrea Smith, a classmate of mine, really liked that he made every class personal, saying “He made the students learn each others names to reflect what students would encounter everyday in hospitality business.” He even tested us on each other’s names!

Leadership is a Reciprocal Relationship

Leaders care for their people and want the best for them. Both leaders and leadees must work together. It’s a reciprocal relationship; both parties give and take. If people have a leader they believe in and that they know cares about them, they will work that much harder. Once people buy-in and begin to support the leader and everyone works towards a common objective, the organization is lifted to a higher level. The leader is lifted to a higher level. The leadees become leaders themselves. The entire organization is better for it.

Leadership allows for people to learn, grow, and improve far beyond even they believe they can. In the absence of leadership, people become stagnant, lack motivation and urgency, and have no long-term goals. Leadership inspires, motivates, and guides people towards a goal or a vision. Without a leader, people and organizations become average, settle for the status quo, and get too comfortable. Leadership presses forward; learning, growing, and improving are the driving forces. Organizations with good leadership play to win. Organizations without leadership play not to lose.