Our chieftains do not undertake the mastery of their people, but rather are they the people's servants, elected to serve the will of the majority.

Pushmatata  Choctaw

  

Leadership in A.A.: Ever a Vital Need

 
Somewhere in our literature there is a statement to this effect: "Our leaders do not drive by mandate: they lead by example." In effect we are saying to them, "Act for us, but don't boss us."

Therefore, a leader in A.A. service is a man (or woman) who can personally put principals, plans, and policies into such dedicated and effective action that the rest of us want to back him up and help him with his job. When a leader power-drives us badly, we rebel; but when he too meekly becomes an order-taker and he exercises no judgment of his own--well, he really isn't a leader at all...

Good leadership originates plans, policies, and ideas for the improvement of our Fellowship and its service. But in new and important matters, it will nevertheless consult widely before taking decisions and actions. Good leadership will also remember that a fine plan or idea can come from anybody, anywhere. Consequently, good leadership will often discard its own cherished plans for others that are better, and it will give credit to the source...

Good leadership never passes the buck. Once assured that it has, or can obtain, sufficient general backing, it freely takes decisions and puts them into action forthwith, provided, of course, that such action be within the framework of its defined authority and responsibility...

 AA Grapevine

 

 Great Spirit guide us as we serve the people.