Forged in Humility

As we continue our exploration of the series “Band of Brothers,” we must look at humility as a leadership trait. A humble leader clearly understands their success is a direct result of the team they have assembled or been given. They will consistently defer all wins to the skills and efforts of the team. In today’s world of self-promotion and “building your brand,” these fly in the face of so-called common wisdom. I would much prefer to work for a leader who understands my contribution to the success of the team and readily defers credit to the team. This is a person I would run through fire for.

These thoughts bring us to World War II hero, Sergent C. Carwood Lipton. Lipton started his life with humble beginnings. Having lost his father at 10 in the same car accident that paralyzed his mother, life could not have been easy for him. He spent much of the next 12 years providing for and leading his family. In today’s world, for most of us, this is unimaginable. At 22 he enlisted in the army and volunteered for the paratroopers because he understood they were the most highly trained division of the army.

Carwood Lipton is remembered by the men he served with as lifting the morale and pushing them toward their greatest outcomes. He also readily made recruits feel welcome and accepted. During his time in WWII, he received numerous medals and decorations, including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His heroism is without question.

Although, as a sergeant in the army he had direct responsibility for some of the men, he was seen by all the men of Easy Company as a leader they would follow in all circumstances. This is what we will refer to as “Inferent Leadership.” He is the person in your organization who has natural leadership skills, combined with humility, that will draw your team to them. Their influence on the success of outcomes is often immeasurable. His influence was consistent on the battlefield and off the battlefield.

Tips – Sergent C. Carwood Lipton

• Humility above all things. Recognize that our ultimate success comes from the people that we lead.
• Every member of your team has something to contribute. Your job is to find it and build on it.
• Positive honest leadership is contagious.
• Just because you are not in charge does not mean people are not following your lead.
• Embrace new members of the team and help them see that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.
• Know who your Inferant Leaders are.

Trap – Myriad of others.

• Focusing only on the flaws of the team around you.
• Arrogance.
• Taking credit.
• Bullying as leading.

Talk again soon,

Jay Toups

Founder

High Performance Teams. By RMR Inc.

Established 2002