A Reflection of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Leadership Quotes & Legacy

January 19, 2015 by Katie

 Let us take a moment to think about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Think about his profound influence on U.S. history and civil rights. Think about his dogged determination, love, and vision of laying the foundation of so many influential civil rights. Think about his struggle. Think about how he overcame that struggle. Think about how, to this very day, if you watch his I have a Dream speech, that he still has the ability to send chills through your body and bring tears to your eyes. Think about his legacy.

This post serves to reflect upon five mind expanding, breathtaking, and heart pounding quotes about leadership. Leadership that paved the way for civil rights, and leadership perspective that perhaps, we all could strive to apply within our personal and professional journeys. Let us reflect upon:

1. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
2. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.
3. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
4. Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.
5. When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.

Read, re-read, and ponder the sheer magnitude of the aforementioned quotes. Think of the time, emotions, thoughts, and people impacted, and quite frankly, impacted today by such statements and beliefs. Think about how our world would be a different place if such quotes were the actions, beliefs, and attitudes of the majority today. Think about how these defining quotes can be applied to you personally, professionally, and perhaps, spiritually. Just think. Think of the issues that you’ve overcome in your life, and how those issues may have been hard to overcome, in the big scheme of the world, they were small, and how such larger, monumental obstacles within our society and ourselves have stood in the way  and continues to stand in the way of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As such, think of how such obstacles have been overcome to gain our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

It is interesting how one day throughout the year, may serve as a reminder of where we’ve come, gone, overcame, and still struggle on key social issues. I wish people would stop, reflect, and pay tribute to those that have made such profound influences on society, life, and not remain silent on things that matter. Life matters. Love matters. Equal rights matters. You matter. I matter. I sit back and reflect today, on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but in all reality, I should reflect on such key leadership lessons daily. Perhaps, we all should. As such, it may bring us closer together, teach us humble lessons of persistence, looking fear in the eyes and still move forward, and expand our empathy toward ourselves, family, friends, strangers, and society. Perhaps, as with the practice of gratitude, the practice of familiarity and reflection of great leaders can help us learn more, and well, be more.

All my love to you on this day of remembrance and all days.

– Katie 

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by Katie Doseck, Ph.D.

Chief Visionary and Strategic Ace Up Your Sleeve | Viral Solutions LLC

Katie Doseck, PhD MBA | Chief Visionary & Strategic Ace Up Your Sleeve. I catapulted my experience with extensive education, trainings, and personal coaching; earning a PhD in Organizational Management with a specialization in Human Resource Management, MBA in Organizational Leadership, and BA in Law & Liberal Arts. Subject Matter Expert (SME) areas: Human Resource Management, Employment Law, Organizational Change, Change Management, Resource Planning, Strategic Planning, Talent Management, Selling & Sales Management, Training & Development, Decision Making Models, Project Management, Customer Relationship Management, and Motivation. Dr. Doseck is based out of Logan, Utah.

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