I went to a Tea Party meeting yesterday to observe and chat with a few folks. I spoke with many people I did not know, and I ended up actually speaking to the whole crowd after prompted by many with whom I spoke to on the sidelines. I mainly talked with many folks from truck drivers, retired veterans, moms, small business owners and iterated about a familiar theme that is near and dear to me, small businesses and their impact on this great nation we live in. I have on many occasions proudly proclaimed that it will be entrepreneurial spirit, not government intrusion that will revive our economy. This folks is the heart of small businesses. Small business employs over 75 per cent of the United States workforce. Anything that harms them in my opinion, harms America.

I did not speak and simply say it was the current administration that overtaxed. I reminded them that it is the Washington politicians of both stripes that are reaching into our wallets. This has not been something that just happened. It has been incrementally occurring for over the last 95 years. It may be a battle between the parties, but for most of us it’s Government overreaching their bounds and getting involved in issues that are not ever discussed in the constitution and using that to fund their own constituencies for one reason or another. It is done by politicians to get re-elected and to have power. Ive seen right through this for many years. The second oldest profession is being a politician and I actually think there’s not much difference between the first and second.

Now there is a line between what constitutes being a leader and being a politician. A leader by definition has to serve their followers and constituencies. I suppose a politician can do that. But one thing that is sorely missed in all of this is what their motive is. If the motive of a leader or politician is to be in charge, make the organization or government run smoothly, make a profit, build a respected company or department, get elected, and to win that might sound good. But to truly define leadership we need to completely understand one thing, motive. How was it the person got into a position where they could be called a leader by the definition used above? Did they inherit it? Was it simply appointed to them? Was it funded by interest groups? If it wasnt earned on the merit of truly serving others then I would hesitate at calling them a leader and the definition of a leader is not who promised the most. If it was arrived by taking from someone and giving to another, it also is not leadership.

A leaders motivation is not how far they have advanced their position or power, but how far they have advanced others. Thats the bottom line. If a person takes away from someone intentionally, they are not a leader. A leader strives to add value to others. The value you add to others is teaching them skills, providing opportunity, giving them insight and perspective, and having faith in them. I know this may sound like a politician but the difference lies with their motivation. You can add value to others by not having to take resources from others to give them. A real leader provides inspiration, values, strength, solutions, character, and does not waver in them. There may be politicians whose motives are those of a true leader, but I find it rare to find one. Remember, a true leaders motivation is not to advance their own position or power, but to advance others.