IDEAS AND LEADERSHIP
Bro. Allen Roberts is one of Freemasonry's most talented and respected
authors. He has written many books, and articles, and has always strongly
supported Masonic Education and Leadership Training. In this STB, Bro. Roberts
explains the importance of effective leadership and how the newly created
Masonic Leadership Center can be of help to all Freemasons. -- Editor
Leadership! This is the key to Freemasonry's growth. (And we believe we can
offer some assistance.)
Leadership. It must be the key that unlocks the door to Freemasonry's
potential. Digesting and using ideas are the backbone of leadership. This
pierces and destroys apathy. It's the key that unlocks constructive leaders.
A good leader motivates other people to get things done! This is a fact that
has been known and stressed for hundreds of years. The constructive leader
realizes he must depend on others to accomplish his goals.
Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors of any age, told us why he was
successful. He said he was an awfully good sponge; that most of the ideas he
developed were those of other people. Edison evaluated those ideas, adapted them
and adopted goals for himself.
They became his goals. By perfecting these ideas, and directing his
associates, he was able to achieve his objectives. This is fine, if there is
only one person--you--to consider. It' s entirely different when we're working
for an organization. Then these goals must be set by everyone involved. My goals
are fine, but they are mine alone. You may, or may not, help me reach them. But
if we establish goals together, they become our goals. We then stand an
excellent chance of reaching them.
Every seminar and workshop I conducted for over 40 years began with this
statement: Every person in this room knows something no one else knows. The
truth of this statement becomes quickly apparent. By bringing together this vast
store of knowledge, everyone becomes the beneficiary.
We've often heard stories about the reinvention of the wheel. The wise leader
seeks methods to improve on this creation of the stone age. Brother Henry Ford
did it when he gave us the horseless carriage. He not only improved the wheel,
he enhanced the means of travel. He did so by developing the ideas of those who
had come before him. This helped him change the life of every person on earth,
forever! Then along came others to improve on what Ford had achieved.
There's a lesson in this one example that every leader should follow. The
automobile of today wasn't conceived and designed from nothing; it benefited
from what Ford, and those who came before him, developed. Countless man hours
and millions of dollars were saved to use for other purposes.
Consider what I call "the miracle of television." Those of my generation can
remember the first crude radios. We can look back and follow the improvements
through today, from the ideas of yesterday, and expect further advancements
tomorrow. These ideas have been incorporated into television and the other means
of communication we enjoy, and too often take for granted.
It's not difficult to consider another "miracle"--the personal computer. Even
a younger generation than mine can look back on the day the electric typewriter
was a wonderful invention. Fortunately, along came the "space age" with its
inventions of better means of communication.
The computer was far out of reach of all but the wealthiest businesses. There
were a few, thank goodness, working to change this situation. The world of
communication has been completely revolutionized!
It doesn't take much thinking to understand why we have the "miracles" of
today in communication. Constructive leaders improved on the ideas that began
thousands of years ago. From the sticks used for drawing, to chisels, to quills,
to ink and pen, to type, and then Gutenberg's movable type. This latter freed
people from ecclesiastical bondage by making the printed word available to all.
No longer did the "average" person have to depend on the translations of a
few learned clerics for the knowledge available. No longer did man have to learn
by "mouth to ear." Books became more and more prevalent. Libraries began to
become accessible. Schools expanded. Other means of accumulating and
disseminating information grew.
What has this to do with Freemasonry? Everything, I hope.
For hundreds of years Freemasonry has been the leading fraternal organization
in the world. It has set the mode for the morality of man. It has stood for
justice for all peoples. It has been far ahead of its time.
How can I say that? By researching the past.
If we follow the history of our operative brethren we learn how they
constantly improved their methods of building. They continually modified the
ideas and methods of other masons and builders. The cathedrals, castles, and
other buildings that have withstood the ravages of time are testimonials to
their continual progress.
From the far flung lodges, or guilds, came an attempt to associate the
operative masons with speculative associates. The men who had been admitted to
the builders' guilds who were not craftsmen, wanted the lessons of the
operatives perpetuated. This brought some of the members of four English lodges
together in 1717. From this meeting evolved the Freemasonry we follow today.
Some criterion had to be developed to bring order out of what could be chaos.
So, James Anderson, a Presbyterian minister, was chosen to do the job. He
solicited all the old writings available about the operative craft. From these
documents he compiled the Constitution of the Free-Masons, which the Grand Lodge
of England adopted in 1723. His history of the craft, which he found in the old
documents, has been termed, rightly, as "fanciful." But the Charges and
regulations are, for the most part, still followed today.
Among these we find: Charge IV: Officers must be chosen by merit, not by
seniority or favoritism; apprentices must be capable of learning the art and
being of service; work must be learned before becoming a Warden; a Master must
have served as a Warden; a Grand Master must have served as a Master.
We find that even in the 1720s the importance of good management and
constructive leadership were emphasized. But actually, we can trace the ideals
of management to the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Among many such lessons we
find Jethro teaching Moses how to be a good manager. He suggested Moses delegate
authority and responsibilities; how to set up an organization much as the large,
successful, corporations are structured today.
This means that leaders will surround themselves with subordinates who will
tell them the truth. It's easy for men to attempt to be popular by always
agreeing with the "boss," even when they know he's wrong. But this can, and
often does, lead to disaster for the boss. Being encircled by "yes men" can
destroy a would-be leader.
Article V in the Constitutions tells us that Freemasons must perform honest
work for fair wages. And the Grand Lodge must approve the working tools. It is,
therefore, necessary for the leadership at the top to be the best it's possible
to find. The top leaders set the tone for their whole jurisdiction. Obstructive,
or poor, leaders suppress growth; constructive leaders will help their Lodges
and members reach for the stars.
Freemasonry, like most non-profit and commercial organizations, is not
totally democratic. This makes it all the more necessary for Freemasonry's
leadership to be constructive. The iron fist the leader can use must be enclosed
in a velvet glove. In a voluntary organization, such as Freemasonry, the leader
can order no man to do anything.
For over 75 years The Masonic Service Association has provided information to
Grand Lodges and Lodges throughout the country. Far too much of this invaluable
information has been ignored.
The Conferences of Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries have provided
excellent information that could have produced phenomenal results for the Craft.
Much of this information has been spoken and recorded in Masonic Educational
Conferences such as the Midwest and Northeast. What was spoken, taught and
recorded has been, for the most part, buried so deeply it has rarely been
employed. The thousands of hours and dollars that went into the planning were
lost.
This isn't as it should be. A few Masonic leaders have pleaded for years for
the establishment of a central location where leadership and educational
material could be stored. Merely storing it, however, is only part of the
answer. The information must also be cataloged, indexed, reviewed, then made
readily available for all Grand Lodges truly interested in educating their
leaders and members.
Over forty years ago I coined this phrase: There can be no dedication without
Education; Leadership provides the background.
The means is now available for Freemasonry to develop the leadership it must
have to remain a viable force for good. By teaching Freemasons how to be leaders
Freemasonry can have thousands of Master Masons dedicated to the principles of
our Fraternity. This will continue the growth of the Fraternity. Freemasons who
understand Freemasonry will be teaching and working with Freemasons.
How has this important stage been reached? Why can Freemasonry stop
reinventing the wheel, but continue to improve on its design and utility?
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association's Board of
Directors offered its facilities for a Masonic Leadership Center. The
Philalethes Society, a small Masonic research body, contributed enough money to
the Center for the minimum necessities to get it started. One of the Society's
members,
Paul M. Bessel, agreed to act as the Center's Executive Secretary. Others
have volunteered to help. They will review transactions and books, then index
them for the Center.
Much information is now available. Time, patience and the assistance of
volunteers will provide the Masonic leadership with tested programs they can
then modify for their Grand Lodges. There will be no cost to Grand Lodges and
appendant bodies for this information, although monetary contributions will
gladly be accepted. Transactions, books, programs, and other educational items
pertain..... Freemasonry are solicited.
For information, contact: Masonic Leadership Center GWMNM 101 Callahan
Drive Alexandria, Virginia 22301 FAX: 703/739-3295
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