We live in a time of great upheaval where people are very divided.

One thing we all share though is a need for freedom. The need to be able to do things that further our beliefs and help those we love to thrive without having to succumb to the control of others.

Over the span of human civilization, people have fought against authoritarianism and suffered innumerable indignities to have freedom. Much suffering has been endured simply for the right to make decisions and have a voice.

Just the thought of freedom brings to mind the daring deeds of Paul Revere and the Minutemen, George Washington and the Revolutionary Army, the fight of the Suffragettes for women’s rights, the Allies who stormed the beaches of Normandy, and the fight of those who marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King, Jr. It stirs the heart and soul to think of those who have fought valiantly for the right to act independently without being controlled.

This well-intentioned and highly-principled desire though leads to a problem. Where do we draw the line? Some would say never, but without some line, there can be chaos because there are always a few who want everything without any thought about what their actions do to others. In fact, there is even a small number who are willing to do harm to others in order to get what they want. Herein lies why we need a line, but where do we draw it?

The balance between control and autonomy haunts every nation, community, organization, and leader. Just how much control is too much or too little? Just how much freedom is too much or little?

While there is probably no definitive answer, these are the key questions our nation, the USA, has struggled to answer for over two centuries. In fact, we have two political parties with divergent answers, both want more or less control over different things. If we were to blend the two, there would be a lot more control than freedom in virtually every area of our lives.

The July 4^th Independence Day holiday in the US celebrates freedom and the rebellion over tyranny. And the lesson the drive for freedom has taught over the last 200+ years has largely been one of balance.

Like it or not, while we desire freedom, we need some controls. We need to keep people safe. We need to keep people from being manipulated and abused. At the same time though, we must ensure that people have enough autonomy to make their own decisions so they can accomplish their goals.

So, this is where balance comes in, peoples’ freedom can only exist as long as that freedom does not infringe on others’ ability to live and be happy, too. Thus the need for some reasonable controls to keep those selfish few who simply cannot consider others from running amok.

In many ways, this balance begins with each of us taking personal responsibility. Take a look at your values and behaviors. Do you balance control and freedom? How do you treat others? Do you want more control over others so you can get the freedoms you want or do you accept reasonable controls on your life because you understand balance?

When to dictate and when to take off the reins, this is one of the most difficult lessons leaders must learn, but learn it they must if they want to get the best results.

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