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