General Lee was an icon in the American south during
the Civil War. A committed Christian and
soldier who’s leadership and principles represented the classical statesman of
any era but especially that of the antebellum south.
In the prologue to the book “Robert E. Lee on
Leadership” the author quotes General Lee’s biographer, Emory Thomas, who
noted, “..Lee was a great person, not so much because of what he did
(although his accomplishments were extraordinary); he was great because of the
way he lived, because of what he was.”
And he was foremost a Christian in principle and conduct.
Lee’s lessons offer a way to live out Christian
principles.
The following is an example of General Lee’s
principles as represented in his correspondence.
·
To
lead others, one must first master oneself.
“I cannot consent to place in the control of others one who cannot
control himself.”
·
A
leader’s primary responsibility is to think of others first. The “great duty of life” is “ the promotion
of the happiness and welfare of our fellow men.”
·
A
leader should always do what conscience dictate so he will never have cause for
self-doubt. “You have only always to do
what is right. It will become easier by
practice, and you will enjoy in the midst of your trials the pleasure of an
approving conscience. That will be worth
everything else.”
[Wouldn’t we wish that some Pastors and Elders would
apply these principles in the church.]
Excerpted
from “Robert E. Lee on Leadership, Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and
Vision” by H.W. Crocker III, published by Three Rivers Press, New York, © 1999.
(pgs. 6 and 27)
