Leadership Is Action, Not Position,

¶ … leadership is action, not position," means that being in a position of leadership does not make one a leader. Instead, a person can be identified as a leader based on their traits, behaviors, attitudes, goals, and the results that they achieve. First, a leader must have traits that make him or her capable of the monumental task that is leadership. These qualities include, first and foremost, motivation. Those who are not motivated by a genuine desire to lead, as opposed to the material benefits of leadership, such as money and power. Leaders are born with a general affinity toward motivation. They are the types that are excited about new challenges, and take pleasure in meeting them. In addition to motivation, leaders must have a degree of altruism. This does not mean that leaders must be solely motivated by altruistic goals. They may be excited about personal benefits, but part of their motivation must come from a larger source. They must also be ethical and moral people, and their behaviors must reflect this. Though ethics, morals, and values differ greatly from culture to culture, the ethics and values of a leader must include a desire to perform tasks honestly, and an ability to make decisions based on the good of the group.

In addition to the qualities and behaviors that categorize a leader, leaders are also defined by their attitudes, goals, and the results that they receive. Just as a leader must exhibit qualities of motivation and behave in an ethical manner, their attitudes must perpetuate these qualities and behaviors. Thus, the leader's attitude is upbeat and excited. Leaders are passionate about the goals to be achieved and the feats to be accomplished. Their attitude never says never; they believe they can prosper in any situation. This attitude allows them to be motivated and practice ethical behaviors. The positive attitude that leaders must embody also allows them to be goal oriented, setting achievable goals. This is a necessary characteristic of a leader in that it helps keep the leader motivated, as well as preventing the leader from becoming overwhelmed. As a leader's task is to accomplish goals, an excellent measure of whether or not a person can be considered a leader can be found in their ability to set achievable goals that are encourage team member motivation and accomplishment, without allowing team member burnout. Finally, leaders are gauged in part by the results that they receive. While anyone can attempt to lead a group, a leader is the person who does it successfully. Thus, a leader's results usually include the completion of a task, but they always include the unification of a well-functioning group.

Thus, the statement, "leadership is action, not position," suggests that not everyone in a position of leadership can be considered a leader. Instead, leaders must embody certain qualities, behaviors, and attitudes, while setting appropriate goals and achieving positive results.

II. Question Two

The Indianapolis Colts have come through a variety of ups and downs in the few years of their existence. Some of their challenges include being uprooted from their previous location in Baltimore and the circumstances that resulted in this move. Other challenges include a loosing streak after its original move to Indianapolis and changes in players in leadership. Under the leadership of coach Tony Dungy, the team came to win the Superb Bowl in 2007.

Thus, the Colts wins and losses constitute some of their heights and lows throughout their career, but they do not define their success as a whole. In addition, the Colts can be considered a successful team because they have a reputation of being able to operate as a team. The players have a great deal of respect for one another. Though each player obviously wants his moment in the spotlight, they work well together, putting the team before personal gains. In their many seasons of loosing, the Colts have been just as gracious as they were during their Super Bowl win in 2007, where they expressed genuine excitement without gloating. The players not only work well together on the field, but many of them are also active in their hometown of Indianapolis. They volunteer and try to raise money for charities. They understand the importance of the fans, and meet them at many events throughout the year. They seem involved in the community, not like they are too important to be associated with their fans. The leadership of Tony Dungy is both a testimony to their success and a reason behind it. Dungy has given many lectures about leadership, and he has gained a reputation of being a phenomenal leader. Perhaps one reason for this is the fact that the treats his players humanely, like a family. He does not shout or curse at his players.

Thus, the Indianapolis Colts can be defined as a successful team because of their ability to struggle with adversity and still remain upright, their ability to work together, their engagement in the community, and their winnings. A combination of team work and Tony Dungy's effective leadership resulted in that success.

III. Question Three