An individual named Floe Foxon recently did a study on Big Foot sightings, which you can read here. The interesting discovery was the correlation between the number of sightings and the local black bear population. Foxon’s results show that for every 1,000 bears in a given area, there is an approximate 4% increase in Big Foot sightings.
The assumption is that people are actually seeing black bears, not the mythical primate.
Bottom line: The people were mistaking black bears for Big Foot. They didn’t know what they’re looking at.
The Saul Syndrome
Since this is a leadership website, Foxon’s study reminded me of how often we look at certain people and mistake them for leaders. I call this The Saul Syndrome.
First Kings 10:23-24 says,
And when (Saul) stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
Saul was taller than anyone, stronger, attractive, and a great warrior. He looked like a leader. But it would soon become apparent that Saul lacked the character qualities necessary to lead long-term. A young shepherd boy named David would prove to be the better choice.
Captain America
The following scene is from Captain America: The First Avenger. In the clip below, a weak and frail Steve Rogers is competing against bigger, stronger, and faster recruits for the super soldier serum medical trial.
As you saw, the army general played by Tommy Lee Jones compared Rogers to another recruit saying, “Hodge passed every test we gave him. He’s big. He’s fast. He obeys orders. He’s a soldier.” Hodge looked like a leader, but they were looking for other leadership qualities like bravery and pure heart which Rogers possessed in abundance.
10 Qualities of a Leader Worth Following
If you are embarking on a search for a leader and do not know what to look for, be careful. You may accidentally pick a Saul or Hodge by mistake. To help you pick a David or Steve Rogers instead, I want to build a template for a leader worth following.
