Generals. Kings. Presidents. It is easy enough to see what they have in common. All of them are in charge of a group of people, their constituents so to say, and are usually the ones that make tough decisions. With their power, however, comes a lot of responsibility, in that they are usually the first to take the fall if any of their constituents make a mistake. All of them are also highly respected in their groups, which is necessary for them to be able to effectively manage their constituents. They are what we call “leaders”.
The concept of a leader has existed since ancient times. Our early ancestors had their chiefs and chieftains, while the Romans, Greeks, and other Western civilizations had their emperors and empresses. Why is there a need for these leaders in the first place, you might ask? Well, they allow the group to settle internal disputes, ensure that all members are doing their part, and remind the members of the group’s goals and how to achieve them.
The Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity has always been proud of producing leaders not just in healthcare, but in other fields as well. Part of the reason why is the importance it gives to promoting the qualities that characterize a good leader in its brothers. This is exemplified by the inclusion of Leadership in its four pillars, alongside Excellence, Service, and Brotherhood.
One of the qualities that leaders from Phi possess is the courage to step outside of one’s comfort zone. Most of the time, a leader is someone who volunteers to be the head of the group. He does this despite knowing the hardships and challenges that accompany being a leader. He takes on the responsibility head on, without a second thought, armed only with the desire to achieve the group’s goals. It will be hard at first, as with any neophyte venturing into a new field. Eventually, however, he gets used it, and that is when he will shine the most. He now knows the inner workings of the group, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each of his members. With this knowledge, he can effectively mobilize his members, and be able to lead his group further beyond their initial goals.
Second is the grit to persevere in terms of hardship. As mentioned above, the journey to be a good leader is not an easy one. It is often filled with trials and tribulations which cannot be avoided and so must be faced head on. This is compounded by the fact that leaders are usually the ones who answer for the actions of their subordinates. Without a strong will that does not yield easily to external pressures, other people would break easily and might even resign their post to somebody else. A Phi, however, is taught early on to thrive in adversity, as it is in times of difficulty that one learns the most. It is only through the flames of the forge that the sharpest of swords be made. And with his tempered sword, there is nothing that can stand in the way of a Phi.
Finally, Phi teaches its brothers to take in criticism and use it to better oneself. No one is perfect. Everyone has lapses in their judgement from time to time. A good leader should realize this and be able to use the comments and suggestions from others, especially of his constituents, in order to optimize the way he leads. He should be able to swallow his ego, no matter how difficult it may be, for the sake of his constituents.
While the above-mentioned qualities may seem a lot, a Phi will always be backed by his brothers. He can rely on his brothers to guide him on his path if he chooses to, and they will be happy to do so. We all know the saying “No man is an island. “, but a Phi is never alone in his journey. That is the strength of the Brotherhood of the Phi Kappa Mu.
In the end, what makes the leaders of the Phi Kappa Mu special is not the position that they have or what they have achieved. It is their unending struggle to be the best version of themselves, all for the betterment of their members. Nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else is acceptable in the eyes of a Phi.
