“Raise a Standard for Others by Improving Yourself: The Key to True Leadership and Education”

By Dan Sanchez.

“The individual is the only one who can watch over the degree and the perfection of his own evolution. The others can bring him nothing, in the creative sense of the term. If they want to help him, they must limit themselves to what they can do for him, that is to say little more than to take care of their own material, intellectual, spiritual development. Through counsel and example, they can set a standard to which to refer. They may have goods and services to exchange, or knowledge and knowledge to offer. But it’s up to him whether or not he wants to take advantage of it. No one else can decide that. –Leonard E. Read, Why not try freedom? (1958)

The best way to improve others is to strive to improve yourself. The better you are, the more you encourage others to imitate your behavior and listen to you. Individuals will voluntarily follow your example.

In this context, the word standard is derived from the military flags that were hoisted above the dust and smoke of battle to visibly mark the location of the campaign leader and thus create a rallying point for the troops.

This is an apt metaphor for life in general. Everyone sometimes feels aimless and lost in the chaos of their day. In times like these, we look for leaders to emulate and mentors to think about. In particular, we are looking for people who demonstrate control: those who clearly know what they are doing and what they are talking about.

And the best way to show control is not to proclaim it, but to achieve it. The more you cultivate, the more self-control you will naturally radiate. This proof will be a luminous reference to which others will turn for direction and encouragement. This is how true leadership and education work.

The opposite approach is to prowl around the battlefield of life trying to flirt with reluctant ‘followers’ and ‘students’ – telling them where to go, how to behave and what to think. But such a futile effort will cause you to neglect your own participation in the struggle, which will increase the likelihood of your own failure and your theory crumbling in the mud. Then you will not be able to truly lead or teach anyone.

There is a crucial difference between directing and leading, between education and indoctrination. Leaders of free men and women are not herders or conscripts. And free-spirited teachers are not transmitters of mind-numbing conformity.

As Leonard E. Read wrote in Students of Liberty (1950) :

One does not become a teacher by qualifying as such or by being appointed by a third party – government or otherwise. A teacher is validated solely and exclusively by the student.

Similarly, no one becomes a ruler on their own or by being appointed by the government. A true leader is designated solely and exclusively by the one who follows him.

And disciples and students are naturally drawn to the high standards of conduct and understanding that come from individuals truly dedicated to self-improvement.

“Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can refer. – George Washington According to Governor Morris, ” Oration upon the Death of General Washington » (1799).

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