***ATTENTION /NOTICE*** Please read the entire article before drawing any conclusions or posting any reply. This article uses extremes to make a point in a thought-provoking manner. Absolutely no malice is intended.

Hitler was a great leader. Through his guidance, dedication and sense of what was right, he changed and influenced the lives of millions of people. So did another great leader. Jesus. Hitler and Jesus. Both great leaders of our past. Both possessed classic leadership qualities and characteristics. Each had a strong belief in what he was doing. Each, possessed the quality of selflessness, an absolute devotion to his cause. And both, had the outstanding ability to influence and motivate people and events to facilitate their cause. You see, these men were really no different from one another … Hitler and Jesus. Except for the fact, that Hitler was sick, deranged and twisted! While Jesus was virtuous, pure-hearted and immaculate.

In my mind, it is unjustifiable to describe both men with the same words. Words like great and leader. There has to be a way to distinguish between a leader of people who brings death and destruction, like Hitler. And a leader who spreads hope and salvation, like Jesus. A way to distinguish between the evil that lurks in one leaders heart, like Hitler. And the good that dwells in another leader’s heart like Jesus. There is a way.

In his book, “The Essentials Of Leadership”, Herman H. Horne describes the philosophy of greatness. In chapter three he writes, “To be great involves only 3 things: to have extended influence, recognition and QUANTITY of influence. But, to be truly great, is to have QUALITY of influence.” Where Hitler had quantity of influence and was a great leader. Jesus had quality of influence and was a truly great leader.

Now, a question comes to my mind. How do leaders like Hitler get into leadership positions and garner such power? How does that happen? It happens, because people just like you and I let it happen. People, just like us, sitting around waiting for someone else to take responsibility for minding the store. FOLLOWERS, who drop the ball. Followers who don’t know an issue from a snowshoe … who won’t state a position … let alone defend one. One reason? A lack of knowledge. Folks, you have to get involved to assure yourself quality leadership. Knowledge is the key to that involvement. Knowledge of the issues, of leadership and of history.

Knowledge of the issues gives you a stand you can defend intelligently. But how can knowledge of leadership and history help assure quality leadership? I’ll tell you.

The study of leadership yields a better understanding of what leadership is and what a leader’s responsibilities are. That way, you’ll know when leaders are abusing their power. The study of history sheds lights on how terrible leaders got to power in the past, the mistakes they made and how they affected people. This knowledge allows you to foresee and prevent history from repeating itself. Knowledge, is the key to ensuring a quality future.

But you have to become involved now! Because the future isn’t a year from now. It’s … 2 seconds from now. Now it’s the present. Now it’s the past. Become involved and knowledgeable now.

Leadership is a responsibility. To be able to lead in a way and direction that only serves to benefit and give value to the lives of every man, woman and child your actions affect. To be wise, merciful and benign. To achieve good, like Jesus. A TRULY GREAT leader. Not to spread grief and despair like Hitler — a great leader who was virulent, poisonous and demented!

Followership is a responsibility too. To follow with knowledge. And instead of being led blindly like a herd of sheep over a cliff …. having the intestinal fortitude and the knowledge to say, “Hey! Wait a minute! Something is wrong here” or “I have an idea that might work better.”

I have used two extremes, Hitler and Jesus, to formulate a quality continuum if you will. With evil on the left and good on the right. Great on the left … Truly Great, on the right.

Where on this continuum do you sit? What kind of leaders do you want for your government, for your country … for the world. What kind of leader do you want to be? What kind of follower? Great … or TRULY GREAT?

Stumble it!