Effective Leadership in Freemasonry

Effective Leadership in Freemasonry

 Carlos Vera Quintana, PVM

 Or.  from Manta, Ecuador

 May 22, 2020 e.v

 To the question of What is leadership?  There are many possible responses that lead to the same result in Freemasonry: Leading is teaching by example.

 In the Order as in any other human institution, the way to go is populated with ascents, descents and straight ways.  When we go up, we try hard, on the straight we keep the rhythm and it could be that we stagnate and on the way down the path is always smoother although it is more risky to trip and even fall.

 Building that path is a collective work that requires learning to follow and then learning to guide.  Without this lifelong learning process, leadership does not materialize and is confused with occupying positions or climbing degrees without significance and without leaving our Masonic imprint.  The permanent challenge of the Mason is to open the path where someone only sees obstacles and seek with intelligence and wisdom the best way, which is not always the fastest, to achieve institutional and collective goals, which are always more complex to achieve than individual or  of small groups.

 In the construction of collective leaderships, the real coherence of the sayings with the actions plays a part, along with the clear understanding that every Brother has the ability to be a guide and that the challenge of Masonic life is precisely being part of the path for  others lead us successfully.  In that sometimes haphazard path, we will make mistakes, such as trusting leadership in the wrong hands and having to assume the consequences, which may include the loss of freedoms even with our complacency, but that is also part of learning towards leadership building.  successful.

 Freemasonry is full of leaders, and we would be surprised at how much good those who seek nothing and contribute a lot, can do to the Order.  The challenge of the true leader is to know when to step aside and not always stay ahead, hindering the passage of others.  The step to the side allows you to accompany and at the right moment to let pass to start following.

 Thus, leaderships are built when we made each apprentice to lead us one day, to keep the Order going and to protect the values ​​and principles that motivate us in Freemasonry.  A mature leader enjoys the work that others do and is there to gently correct faults, wisely help group growth, and strive with tolerance to correct his own mistakes or those from others.

 Leaving a legacy in every office, no matter how small it may be, and exercising any Masonic role with efficiency and honesty, will allow us to enjoy fraternity, which is the first duty of a Mason and the most beautiful of benefits that we enjoy.

 Effective leadership always generates better conditions for fraternal coexistence and new leaders as a result of teamwork.

 Always on the climbs, it is better to advance in a group, so the obstacles are lighter and the avalanches of negativity that seek to return or stop us, will be easier to overcome, since teamwork resists the toughest tests and in that too  it consists of effective leadership.