When OPA President Dan Stachurski speaks, people listen. People listen because Stachurski possesses that rare and elusive quality so many seek in vain – leadership.

Stachurski is the glue that binds this current Ocean Pines Board of Directors. It is difficult to imagine what would or would not be accomplished were he not there in his role as president of this current board.

This is not to suggest that everyone on the board or everyone in the community will agree with Stachurski’s political views all of the time. This correspondent has certainly disagreed with Stachurski on a number of issues in the past, and probably will do so in the future. Leadership, however, is not about always being right or having everyone agree with you, or even having a majority agree with you. Perhaps that is why so many would-be leaders fail at achieving their goal.

Leadership is more about dealing with people – respecting their views, even if contrary to your own. Leadership requires more listening than talking.

During this Thanksgiving time of year, add Dan Stachurski to your list of things and people to be thankful for in Ocean Pines, regardless of politics.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in Ocean Pines.

Joe Reynolds
OceanPinesForum.com
2004