Dear Brother:

We all have a good idea as to what leadership is all about. Leadership is vision, motivation, organization and action it gives people a sense of power, hope and makes things happen. Leadership creates the future, provides guidance, direction, inspiration and empowers people to realize their leadership potential.

One of the prerequisites for providing effective Masonic leadership is a thorough understanding of the importance of quality "followership." Being a good follower means that you have developed the capacity to be directed and guided according to tradition, ritual, customs and ancient usages. It also means that you are motivated and highly disciplined in carrying out your responsibilities, whatever they may be, to completion.

Good followers are reliable and dependable Brethren Brethren on whom the Fraternity's leadership can depend on in the pinch. I am not talking about passive followers who follow blindly or about "yes men." Rather, these Brethren are generally assertive, critical thinkers, who will allow their talents to be utilized, but who will refuse to be used and abused by leadership. One learns the art of effective leadership by being a consistent and committed follower.

Did you ever wonder why it takes so long to advance through the officers' chairs in order to arrive in the East? The ancient founders of Freemasonry, in their infinite wisdom, made it an integral part of our Beloved Craft. Moving through the chairs helps you to become a good leader. To be a good leader, you must first be a good follower. As an effective follower you must be consistent and dependable, humble and patient, able to receive and offer constructive criticism, a tireless worker, a disciplined student of study and work and persistent and consistent at developing leadership skills.

To be a Mason, you must be able to give time to the craft. You can not do your own thing all of the time. You must devote time to being a follower and, hopefully, to become a leader.

Fraternally,

John Lacki Jr.
Worshipful Master