Our Founders and early members were prescient in choosing the Rock and the Rose as enduring symbols of The Legion of Honor. Our fundamental purpose to produce ethical leaders for society will never change (Rock); however, the strategies and tactics we use to accomplish our mission are changing constantly as we adapt to our surroundings (Rose).
Similarly, most enduring companies maintain a fundamental purpose through the years. Strategies and even products and services may change, but the core mission remains. And as Fast Company magazine reports, finding the right strategies and tactics often requires an under-appreciated leadership quality:
For CEOs, creativity is now the most important leadership quality for success in business, outweighing even integrity and global thinking, according to a new study by IBM. The study is the largest known sample of one-on-one CEO interviews, with over 1,500 corporate heads and public sector leaders across 60 nations and 33 industries polled on what drives them in managing their companies in today’s world.
The Rose can manifest itself it many different leadership qualities, and least among them is creativity. Take some time this summer to ponder how you will lead your chapter through innovation and creativity this coming year. It could be something as simple as changing the time and location of chapter meetings. Or maybe it’s time to bring creativity to your LEAD Program in the form of some new and energizing guest facilitators (see how Fresno State is bringing creativity to LEAD in the spring 2010 issue of The Delta) .
Change, renewal and purity of purpose–as represented by the Rose–is necessary to the long-term success of any organization, especially the college fraternity.
Serve in the Light of Truth 