Posted by Steve Gage
  • Wise leaders continuously pursue growth and development as a form of lifelong learning.
  • Wise leaders are very creative and visionary in their approach toward life.
  • Wise leaders have a keen awareness about their place in the bigger scheme of things. They combine a big passion and a big purpose with a “right-sized” ego.
  • Wise leaders have exceptional relationship and communication skills. They find human connections to be deeply satisfying.
  • Wise leaders lead with a strong sense of authenticity and integrity. 
  • Wise leaders demonstrate a high degree of emotional maturity.
  • Wise leaders aim to embrace balance in their lives.
  • Wise leaders are compassionate human beings.

The bullet statements above are the core concepts of Wise Leadership by Linda A. McLyman. When I reread the book, this time thinking in the context of Rotary, I was reminded of how being a member of Rotary International is opportunity to “Join Leaders, Share Ideas and Take Action.” I have found that being a part of Rotary has given me a chance to share and learn the traits of other leaders. I believe the bullet concepts listed above outlines the behaviors, mannerisms and character of most of the Rotarians I have had the pleasure to know. 

One of the most powerful aspects of being a member of Rotary is that you get an opportunity to interact with other leaders. Members of Rotary are leaders by mindset, not titles. Although many Rotarians do have titles within the professional life it is not what defines them as a Rotarian.  

In Rotary, you get to interact with these leaders at the local, regional and global level. You get a chance to share ideas and take actions on things that can change the world. You get an opportunity to learn from other leaders in your field of endeavor as well as other business areas. You get a chance to interact, do business with and refer others to, knowing that the Rotarian you are working with also follows the Four Way Test.  

The more I thought about the concept of “Wise Leadership” and how leaders within Rotary live the concepts, the more I thought “Why would anyone, who thinks of themselves as a leader, not want to be a part of this?” Come join us.