D. C. Donahue Books

Today’s prompt is a head-scratcher. We have a new Pope, Leo XIV, the first American pope, who reigns over the world’s Catholics. Then there’s Donald Trump, who many view as the President of the USA, or in the minds of some, the leader of the free world. However, I would like to avoid a discussion on that topic, regardless of your religious or political affiliation—it simply is what it is.

This brings me to my next point: as leaders come and go, whether they are the captain of a sports team, a military leader, or the conductor of an orchestra or band, we can see certain patterns emerge. You understand the direction I’m going in.

We all have moments when we are called to be leaders, whether on a large scale, like a CEO of a major corporation or financial institution, or on a smaller scale, like a local politician, small business owner, church leader, or a coach. Even intellectual leaders at local elementary schools, high schools, or colleges fit into this category. The common thread among all these roles is that nothing could be accomplished without the smaller components that make everything function effectively. Just as a bike requires various intricate parts, including wheels, handlebars, and a frame, successful leadership relies on collaboration and the contributions of many individuals.

When I was a child, my leaders were my parents and older siblings. If you have older brothers, you can understand how much of a physical influence they can have—trust me. As I moved on in life, I encountered other leaders, such as professors, managers, directors, vice presidents, or military ranks like lieutenants, ensigns, sergeants, and corporals. Even when married, you continue to learn from others whose life experiences exceed your own knowledge, such as doctors, lawyers, mechanics, and pharmacists.

As an adult who has taken the plunge into marriage and has multiple children, I’ve learned that maintaining a household can be challenging. When something breaks or is missing, it’s usually obvious to everyone involved. However, any wise husband or wife knows that leadership in a marriage should be shared. This is why we have the terms “Father” and “Mother,” which eventually lead to the roles of grandparents.

Becoming the “Patriarch” or “Matriarch” of the family usually happens when your children don’t have a strong connection to their great-grandparents. While these roles indicate responsibility, it’s still a shared experience. Often, the pendulum of leadership swings more toward the Matriarch, as many intelligent husbands will acknowledge, with some saying that it’s 60% Matriarch. Remember the saying, “Happy Wife, Happy Life.” Hopefully, this is a lesson you’ve learned early on in your married life.

Points to Ponder: Even the Pope has aides, pages, and others in supportive roles. The same is true for every world leader, business owner, CEO, stockholder, and investor. I used to say that if nurses, secretaries, and teachers united in their own union, every nation would have to recognize their expertise in getting the real work done.