The best leaders lead from the front

I worked for a boss who would say when something turned out good but not necessarily great, "that's better than a poke in the eye."  That is a way of saying you are pleased with an outcome without being too overly enthusiastic.  My boss left out the rest of the saying, which is better than a poke in the eye with a stick.  I found two others "better than a kick in the...with a frozen boot" or "better than a slap across the belly with a wet fish."  In other words, a positive outcome, no matter how slim or weak beats the alternative.

I have been following as most of you the rhetoric between the right, left, conservatives, liberals, etc., and it seems that a poke in the eye is all we see (pun intended).  I don't know about you but I am tired of it.

When will it stop? 

I just returned from my home State of New Jersey.  While there, I followed the local papers as Governor Christie, the democrat controlled Assembly, and Senate agreed on a bill to reform pension and health care benefits for State employees.  That's right democrats and republicans agreed on a bill that would save taxpayers $120 billion by 2041 and more important assure current and future retirees that the pension they worked for was funded.  It was amazing as both sides can say what we did beats a poke in the eye.  For more you can watch a video entitled Can't Stop Now by clicking here. 

I have been a student of leadership all my life.  I have observed all kinds of leader behavior.  I have witnessed leaders leading from the front, the side, the top, the bottom and yes even from behind.  I had a friend recently tell me when you are leading you are likely to take an arrow in the back.  In other words, the best leaders lead from the front.