Servant Leadership is one of our core values at the Convention of States.
The book "Servant Leadership" is by author David Kuhnert, a retired Command Sergeant Major, and describes leadership as getting others from the “Here” to the “There.” This is a path you and your team should follow to achieve success.
A leader is someone who has reached their personal “There”. Through great conviction and courage, and even when threatened with death, a leader does what is required to reach the end of the path, “The There”.
The author references Union LTC Joshua Chamberlain of the 20th Maine at Gettysburg, PA that fateful day when two armies came together in a little sleepy Pennsylvania village and fought for their beliefs.
Chamberlain’s brother encountered 13 soldiers heading away from the battle. The soldiers said they were lost. Chamberlain’s brother reminded the soldiers that desertion was an offense that could put them in front of a firing squad.
LTC Chamberlain talked to the soldiers and found out they were all sharpshooters from Maine. The Colonel told the soldiers they could join his unit preparing for battle at Cemetery Ridge. As they were advancing, the unit received a change of orders. Chamberlain’s men were ordered to advance to Little Roundtop since Cemetery Ridge was well-manned.
At Little Roundup, two Alabama regiments and one Texas regiment were forming an attack. Chamberlain had to buoy the men’s courage to attack with bayonets and drive back the Confederate units. During this battle, those 13 sharpshooters shot and killed many enemy officers and were the main success in repelling the Confederate units.
Instead of ranting, raving, and threatening the almost deserters, Chamberlain persuaded the soldiers to go from their “Here” to their “There”.
I took this course with six students from across the nation. Listening to their stories and experiences encouraged me to look at my own weaknesses and strengths.
This course helps one learn to be empathetic and humble with others. It helps one learn to teach, train, and mentor others. In short, this course helps people learn how to improve as a leader.
If you are in a leadership role with COSA and are interested in developing your leadership skills, send a message with "Servant Leadership" in the subject line to the email below. You will receive an email reply with a listing of available dates and times.
Ginny Rapini
Senior VP of Grassroots Operations and Mentoring
Email to: grapini@cosaction
If you are not in a leadership role, consider becoming a District Captain with COSA Louisiana. Go to conventionofstates.com, click on "Take Action," and fill out the application.
