Leadership Quotation
Linyao Wang
Arcadia University
Department of Business Administration and Economics
BA 600: Leadership for Effective Organizations
Dr. Karen Lawson
December 6th, 2012

Quotation review
“People may doubt what you say, but they believe what you do.” Lewis Cass, American military officer and politician.
According to Heidler, David S., and Heidler, Jeanne T. (2004), Lewis Cass was an American military officer and politician. During his long political career, Cass served as a governor of the Michigan Territory, an American ambassador, and a U.S. Senator representing Michigan. He was the nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States in 1848 and a leading supporter of the Doctrine of Popular Sovereignty, which would have allowed individual states to determine whether to make slavery legal instead of entirely restricting its expansion. "People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do” means that actions count for more than just talk.
Leadership analysis
To a large extent, Lewis Cass is a successful leader because his strong personality in the Big Five, the traits of effective leaders.
First, he has a strong need for surgency that help him become the third Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio on January 4, 1808. Later he went on to co-found the Grand Lodge of Michigan being elected as its first Grand Master on July 21, 1826. (Conover, Jefferson S. 1896) Further evidence of him being powerful follows: Cass represented Michigan in the United States Senate from 1845 to 1848. He served as chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs in the 30th Congress. He resigned from the Senate to run for President in 1848. (Kleber, John E.1992)
Second, Lewis has agreeableness. He gets along well with people having strong interpersonal skills with others to get the job done. This is why William Orlando Butler was his running mate during his presidential election campaign in 1848.
Third, Lewis Cass is conscientious at finishing his job. With his high dependability, Lewis has served almost 20 years in the position of Governor of the Michigan Territory.
Then, Lewis is well adjusted. Being the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan takes pressure even he had some experiences before. He is calm, positive, relaxed and secure, improving the accomplishments of his members is every position.
Finally, Lewis is open to new experiences because of his leading and supporting to the Doctrine of Popular Sovereignty, which would have allowed individual states to determine whether to make slavery legal instead of entirely restricting its expansion.
Conclusion
I totally agree with Lewis’ point. As I mentioned above, this quotation means taking actions is more powerful than only speaking. There are lots of people talking so much in our daily lives, but only few of them taking actions consistent with their words can be respected. According to our text book, leadership is defined as the process of leaders and followers to achieve organizational objectives through change. Also, influence is one of the key elements of this process. Effective leaders have the ability to influence others. However, only relying on talking is not enough to affect or motivate others. Leaders, who balance what they say and what they do, can gain the commitment and enthusiasm of followers who are willing to be influenced. For example, a manager requires his employees to work on time, but he always be late or absent from his position. How many of his staffs would work with him or follow him? The answer is obvious, he will never achieve his goal, and even he might gain the negative effect. On contrast, a manager who asks the same requirement for his people is the first person to enter in company and the last one to leave every day. As the result, all of his employees would follow him as an example to be strict with themselves. Thus, leading by example is the most important factor of an effective leader.

Reference
Kleber, John E. (1992). The Kentucky Encyclopedia, p. 146.
Heidler, David S., and Heidler, Jeanne T. (eds.) (2004).Encyclopedia of the War of 1812, pp. 83-84
Conover, Jefferson S. (1896). Freemasonry in Michigan. Coldwater, Michigan: The Conover Engraving and Printing Company. pp. 113–122.
Lussier, Robert N., PhD and Achua, Christopher F., DBA (2010) Leadership – Theory, Application, and Skill Development. South-Western Cengage Learning, 5th edition, pp. 37-41