“Authentic leadership develop in people over a lifetime and can be triggered by major life events” (p.196). We grow to learn that hero’s do have to obtain super natural powers. We learn to acknowledge leaders that are not only on our television, but in our communities, or in our families. Our families celebrate our growth and accomplishments and I would like to take to recognize an Authentic Leader I know personally; my father.
George Albert Wade, born July 28, 1949 in Orangeburg, South Carolina has displayed a lifetime of confidence, hope, optimism, and resilience. He is one of seven children who did not share similar interests of his brothers and sisters, or his classmates. Being raised in the Jim Crow South art was frown upon. Parents did not apprehend their child wanting to be a musician or a visual artist when they grew up. It was not thought of as being useful or being able to support your family. Unfortunately, they believed that being an artist meant that you were homosexual. At the age of seven my father began drawing. He often got in trouble by teachers and administrators because he was not performing to the best of his abilities academically. Eventually, the school recognized his talent and accommodated him by transporting him a few miles every morning to the only artist in town, to instruct him on art techniques. It took years for his family to accept his passion for visual art.
Returning from being drafted in Vietnam for three years he worked the Bureau of Engraving and Printing were he designed and oriented U.S currency for 35 years and is now 67 and has become an advocate of the arts. He has spent his years volunteering to teach art to youth in programs provided by churches, public schools, and recreational centers in Washington D.C. Most of his time is spent in underdeveloped neighborhoods giving personal art lessons to children to keep them away from negative activity that surrounds the urban neighborhoods. He even provides each child/teen with the supplies they would need. Many see him as a leader, a friend, and a father.
Primarily he strives to give African-American youth within the arts hope. As well as encourage more to participate. He rarely does not sell his art work because he wants people who supports to know that not every artist wants his outlet to be abused. It serves its purpose to be therapeutic for the artist and the artist only. He has changed many lives and has given a different perspective of art to people in our community. He knew what it felt like to be told he could not be an artist for a living because of his ethnicity. He campaigns for art programs to remain prevalent in our city.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications
lxs65 says
This story was beautiful and encouraging. I too feel that we often forget the leaders all around us and even the leader in each of us. Authentic leadership teaches us that we all have a leader inside us and we must actively foster it through passion, self-discipline, values and relationships. He never lost his passion for art and throughout his life he remained disciplined in his efforts to pursue the arts. He values community, helping others and has been selfless in his acts. He strives to make connections and form relationships with others through art. Your father was a perfect example of an authentic leader and I admire his continued perseverance despite the many obstacles in his way. His desire to use art to serve others and his focus on the greater good of the community are just further testaments to his integrity and authenticity.
eqh5025 says
These post is by far one of the best post I have ever read. Thank you for sharing your story and making these blog even more interesting. We sometimes forget and define true leaders through media or people that have done a lot for our society and not to give these people like Steve Jobs or Dr. King less credit then they deserve but we forger that we have our authentic leaders within our houses ( our mom’s and dad’s). What defines an authentic leader is their personality, their ability to build honest relationship with their follower. Authentic leaders are positive and true-full people which promote openness and communication between them and the followers. It is obvious that your acquired each of these qualities. Authentic leaders never give up on their dreams and their desire to share their dream with their follower. Your dad even with the difficulties of the time was able to pursue his dream and for the most he is volunteering to teach art to youth in high school and churches. These is defiantly an indication that your dad id developing a relationship between him and his followers. And last but not least he has been a true leader in your eyes which is the best lesson he could have taught you. We hope to have more leaders like your dad not only in politics or big organizations but also true and defined leaders In our own home.
Jamie Lucas says
HI Whitney,
Thanks so much for sharing your story! It’s very inspirational to hear about this type of authentic leadership, especially when it is a personal story. I especially admire that he doesn’t advocate selling his artwork but chooses to illustrate the intrinsic value of making art for arts sake instead.
I think your father is a good example of both intrapersonal and interpersonal authentic leadership (Northouse, 2016). The intrapersonal perspective is demonstrated by his perseverance in the arts despite the social stigma attached to it during that time and the interpersonal perspective is demonstrated by his work with his students in underdeveloped neighborhoods and his advocacy work.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications
sam6428 says
What a beautiful story Whitney. I lack artistic ability or desire to learn how to paint or draw, however, I appreciate art in the form of painting, drawing, photography, dance, music, etc. I also know art is an incredible way to explore your feelings and manage anxiety. My oldest daughter suffers from OCD/anxiety and she has always found relief by expressing herself artistically.
He sounds like a tremendous inspiration with his work in the community with the underprivileged. He definitely sounds like an authentic leader as he was in tune with who he was – an artist – at a young age and he pursued his passion! He knew who he was early on and had an intrapersonal perspective which was self-knowledge and self-concept. He also demonstrated interpersonal process – it is not just about his efforts, but being receptive to the response of the followers (Northouse, 2016).
Your father is a true authentic leader. It is an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing!