In these times it is hard to find trustworthy people. But history has demonstrated that good leaders are not made by themselves. They have a great support to their position. A great support from the people who have confidence in their ideas and who are willing to give their time and energy for their leaders.
Andrew Carnegie Story
Andrew Carnegie came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy, did a variety of odd jobs, and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States. At one time, he was the wealthiest man in America. To put his wealth into perspective, he built Pittsburgh's Carnegie Steel Company, which he sold to J.P. Morgan in 1901 for $480 million. Today's equivalent value is nearly $400 billion. He was also a great philanthropist donating the current equivalent of $79 billion to various charities, universities and libraries. At one point, he had 43 millionaires working for him. In the late 1800's, a millionaire was a very rare person.
A reporter asked Carnegie how he had hired 43 millionaires. Carnegie responded that those men had not been millionaires when they started working for him but had become millionaires as a result.
The reporter's next question was, "How did you develop these men to become so valuable to you that you have paid them this much money?" Carnegie replied that men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold, but one doesn't go into the mine looking for dirt - one goes in looking for the gold.
Good leaders have good followers. Most great companies have outstanding employees working for them. It is no doubt that they have great leaders whose ideas inspire the workforce to give their best. The leaders help them to build a better life and thus gain their confidence for years to come.
“Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” — Tom Peters
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