Blogging: a Key to Successful Leadership

I'm sure that the title of this, my opening blog, lends itself to a confusing concept of one of the keys to successful leadership. It is however the contemporary counterpart to an age old tradition of all great leaders.... Journalism; either in the form of a weekly article in the paper, or possibly a daily diary, tracking the twists and turns of life, both with the intent of educating those who may read it, but also with the purpose of processing information gained throughout the day. It is this then, the writing out of ideas in order to process them, that all leaders share in common; in yester-years it was journalism, today it is blogging.

If I could define what the purpose of blogging should be, I would say that it is to "process information in a way that it may be thoroughly understood by oneself, and effectively communicated to others."

Definition in hand, I would say that blogging also helps accomplish one other quality that all great leaders share in common: The ability to write well. From tyrannical leaders such as Hitler to great men of the faith such as John Wesley, the ability to write well has always played an important role in their lives, but more importantly, in their legacy. And what, may I ask, is the purpose in leading others today if we do not intend to leave a legacy to be followed tomorrow?