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Leadership Quotient (LQ) is primarily determined by a combination of physical intelligence, mental intelligence, emotional intelligence, and spiritual intelligence. These four areas (body, mind, heart, and spirit) are essential toward the making of a whole leader. -Sharif Khan
Physical fitness has been an important part of the American culture for decades. Since the 1950s, the White House has promoted various physical fitness programs and activities. The 1970s saw an explosion in aerobic exercise, followed by the sprouting of fitness clubs and health spas across the country. Countless publications on health and fitness are produced each year. Corporations have built in-house exercise rooms and provide incentives to workers enrolled in wellness programs, and the public sector is increasingly active in promoting healthy choices. Few, however, speak directly of the inseparable connection between physical fitness and leadership. The most obvious exception to this is the military.
This article outlines basic attributes and characteristics of leadership, discusses the critical need for leadership in corrections and suggests that physical fitness can become a core consideration in identifying and developing leaders within a prison setting.
Leadership
The Leadership Challenge. Countless articles and books have been written on leadership, offering a host of definitions and perspectives on the function of the leader. For the purposes of this article, a leader can "define, refine and achieve goals, solve problems effectively, creatively and efficiently, and elicit their subordinates' best efforts."1
Enumeration of the traits necessary to be a great leader can be lengthy and varied, but can be distilled into a core few. In their bestselling book, The Leadership Challenge, business consultants James Kouzes and Barry Posner outline five fundamental approaches to leadership.2 These points are meant as a guide in developing well-rounded, self-aware leaders who are able to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of business. Interestingly, the book has also been used widely in universities, government agencies and correctional organizations.
Model the Way. As its name suggests, "model the way" is a mode of being in which the leader declares - in words and actions - his or her personal philosophy; it is the embodiment of the leader's vision for the organization in the context of the mission statement and the goals the organization has set for itself. More than that, it...