Leadership: What Does It Take In 2015?

Q: So what does it take to be a leader in 2015?

A: The Same As It Ever Was.

"You have to believe in yourself."

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."

"Those who have knowledge don't predict. Those who predict have no knowledge."

"Every battle is won before it is fought."

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

Believe it or not, these quotes are all from Sun Tzu (544 BCE-496 BCE), famous for writing The Art of War.

It has been claimed by many scholars that Sun Tzu may have been the greatest combination of warrior, General, philosopher, tactician, and strategist of all time. Hard to argue with this declaration when governments, schools and militaries alike around the globe have been pouring over and studying The Art of War for centuries-- including the United States.

Often times when we think of war we think of the Ghengis Khan's or the Emperor Nero types in history. But Sun Tzu, in all his brilliance as a leader, found ways to avoid war with the least amount of cost possible and only when necessary as a last resort. There's a reason why it's called The ART of War!

Now, you might be asking yourself: So what does Sun Tzu have to do with Leadership?

Everything!

I'm not talking about going to actual war here as a leader in Sun Tzu's day. Most of us, unless you've been in the military(as I was) have never been in a war zone. However, nowadays many leaders (and employees) often report to me feeling as if every day is indeed like going to war on a battlefield.

No, instead I'm talking about tapping into what leaders in this day and age are faced with, and finding some of the simplest solutions often overlooked from years gone by without having to also reinvent the wheel all over again.

If this is at all reminiscent of your daily life....then how are you dealing with those "battlefield-like" stressors?

I'm also not suggesting you use Sun Tzu's classic tactics of deception as a leader.

No. What I hope you take away from his genius is the proven--yes proven-- success in becoming or being a Great Leader in 2015 by knowing and understanding how to keep yourself "out of trouble", use what is only necessary to "win", be "successful" at anything and strategize properly to avoid prolonged conflicts all in the midst of keeping a loyal, prepared and ready following.

Not an easy undertaking for even the most illustrious leaders.

I have also taken the liberty to not only use quotes from Sun Tzu's wisdom of leadership, but to dovetail excerpts from another famous motivator and entrepreneurial leader of more modern times--Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)-- famous for writing Think and Grow Rich (1937).

Those who became great leaders were because they were Intelligent Followers. Take the opportunity to acquire knowledge from leaders. --Napoleon Hill

Though times have changed even in the past 80 years let alone 2500 since Napoleon's rise to fame in terms of technology, still, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

These well-respected men in their own right are as timeless in their thinking and beliefs as they were in their heyday, and are just as relevant today for a leader of a fortune 100 company, for a General on the fields of Iraq or Afghanistan, for a small mom and pop shop, for a manager of any business or... even for parents. If you don't envision a parent as a leader--think again!

No matter where you "fit" in your role(s), you are still a leader. But what kind are you?

Furthermore, why look only to present-day thought leaders who can sometimes captivate people by their salesmanship and trendiness when we have great leaders of the past to gleen great insight and wisdom from? In their day it could be costly to have such knowledge or "secrets", but for us it's totally "free" with a swipe of a keystroke or mouse click.

Leadership qualities, successes and failures are ageless, and continue on for the past 2500 years, whether it's philosophy is hailed from the year 515 BCE, 1915, or 2015!

There truly is "nothing new under the sun", but it bears repeating and reemphasizing Sun Tzu's and Napoleon Hill's great wisdom and knowledge.

As has been said before, it is easier to be reminded, than taught.

(Italicized & bold portions attributed to Napoleon Hill's excerpts from Think and Grow Rich, quotes are Sun Tzu's from The Art of War)

The Major Attributes of Leadership:

There are two forms of leadership. The first, and by far the most effective, is leadership by consent of, and with the sympathy of the followers. The second is leadership by force, without the consent and sympathy of the followers.

History is filled with evidences that leadership by force cannot endure. The downfall and disappearance of dictators and kings is significant. It means people will not follow forced leadership indefinitely. People may follow forced leadership temporarily, but they will not do so willingly.

Leadership must be done by cooperation. No one has ever become successful entirely on their own. Every "successful" person has had help along the way, such that no man lives on an island unto his own.

1) UNWAVERING COURAGE based upon knowledge of self, and of one's occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader very long.

"Courage above all things, is the first quality of a warrior."

"The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach."

2) SELF-CONTROL. The person who cannot control themselves, can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for one's followers, which the more intelligent will emulate.

" The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand."

3) A KEEN SENSE OF JUSTICE. Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can command and retain the respect of their followers.

"When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders."

4) DEFINITENESS OF DECISION. The person who wavers in their decisions, shows they are not sure of themselves. They cannot lead others successfully.

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

"The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim."

5) DEFINITENESS OF PLANS. The successful leader must plan their work, and work their plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later they will land on the rocks.

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before the defeat."

6) THE HABIT OF DOING MORE THAN PAID FOR. One of the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness, upon the part of the leader, to do more than they require of their followers.

How likely are you to follow a leader who does less than you?

"He who advances without seeking fame; who retreats without escaping blame; he whose one aim is to protect his people and serve his lord, the man is a jewel of the Realm."

7) A PLEASING PERSONALITY. No slovenly, careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade high on all of the factors of a Pleasing Personality.

"The greatest victory is that which requires no battle."

8) SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING. The successful leader must be in sympathy with their followers. Moreover, they must understand them and their problems.

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death."

9) MASTERY OF DETAIL. Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leader's position.

"To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear."

10) WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY. The successful leader must be willing to assume responsibility for the mistakes and the shortcomings of their followers. If he tries to shift responsibility, he will not remain the leader. If one of his followers makes a mistake, and shows himself incompetent, the leader must consider that it is he who failed.

" If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame. But, if orders are clear and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers."

11) COOPERATION. The successful leader must understand, and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be able to induce his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for power, and power calls for cooperation.

"Bind them with deeds. Do not command with words."

10 Major Causes Of Failure In Leadership:

It is as essential to know What Not To Do as it is to know what to do.

1) INABILITY TO ORGANIZE DETAILS. Efficient leadership calls for ability to organize and to master details. No genuine leader is ever "too busy" to do anything which may be required of them in their capacity as leader. When a person, whether they are a leader or follower, admits that they are "too busy" to change their plans, or to give attention to any emergency, they admit their inefficiency. The successful leader must be the master of all details connected with their position. That means, of course, they must acquire the habit of relegating details to capable lieutenants.

"Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price."

"Order or disorder depends on organization; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on dispositions."

2) UNWILLINGNESS TO RENDER HUMBLE SERVICE. Truly great leaders are willing, when occasion demands, to perform any sort of labor which they would ask another to perform. "The greatest among ye shall be the servant of all" is a truth which all able leaders observe and respect.

"The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom."

3) EXPECTATION OF PAY FOR WHAT THEY "KNOW" INSTEAD OF WHAT THEY DO WITH THAT WHICH THEY KNOW. The world does not pay people for that which they "know". It pays them for what they DO, or induce others to do.

"To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence. Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

4) FEAR OF COMPETITION FROM FOLLOWERS. The leader who fears one of his followers may take their position is practically sure to realize that fear sooner or later. The able leader trains understudies to whom they may delegate, at will, any of the details of their position. Only in this way may a leader multiply himself and prepare himself to be at many places, and give attention to many things at one time. It is an eternal truth that people receive more pay for their ability to get others to perform, than they could possibly earn by their own efforts. An efficient leader may, through his knowledge of his job and the magnetism of his personality, greatly increase the efficiency of others, and induce them to render more service and better service than they could render without their aid.

Be mindful, as we humans tend to create what we fear.

"He who competes with no one has no competition."

5) LACK OF IMAGINATION. Without imagination, the leader is incapable of meeting emergencies, and of creating plans by which to guide his followers efficiently.

"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?"

6) SELFISHNESS. The leader who claims all the honor for the work of his followers is sure to be met by resentment. The really great leader claims none of the honors. They are contented to see the honors, when there are any, go to his followers, because he knows that most people will work harder for commendation and recognition than they will for money alone.

"Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."

7) INTEMPERANCE. Followers do not respect an intemperate leader. Moreover, intemperance in any of its various forms, destroys the endurance and the vitality of all who indulge in it.

" Move swift as the Wind and closely formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain."

8) DISLOYALTY. Perhaps this should have come at the head of the list. The leader who is not loyal to his trust, and to his associates, those above him, and those below him, cannot long maintain his leadership. Disloyalty marks one as being less than the dust of the earth, and brings down on one's head the contempt he deserves. Lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of life.

"Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust."

9) EMPHASIS OF THE "AUTHORITY" OF LEADERSHIP. The efficient leader leads by encouraging, and not by trying to instill fear in the hearts of his followers. The leader who tries to impress his followers with his "authority" comes within the category of leadership through force. If a leader is a real leader, he will have no need to advertise that fact except by his conduct--his sympathy, understanding, fairness, and a demonstration that he knows his job.

A Boss says: "Go", a Leader says, Let's go.

"A leader leads by example, not by force."

10) EMPHASIS OF TITLE. The competent leader requires no "title" to give him the respect of his followers. The person who makes too much over his title generally has little else to emphasize. The doors to the office of the real leader are open to all who wish to enter, and his working quarters are free from formality and ostentation.

"Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment--that which they cannot anticipate."

Why attempt to say it better when these wise men's prose say it best, and has certainly stood the test of time? Remember, these aren't just philosophical, foo-foo thoughts where these men just sat around thinking of hypothetical niceties for mankind to dribble on in potentials or possibilities to be debated in a bar. Far from it! These are philosophies that were literally battle-tested and experienced in both the war-room and the boardroom.

Now... where do you see yourself as a leader? What do you still need to work on learn, practice, dump, adjust, modify or stay the course with?

My humble thanks to Sun Tzu and Napoleon Hill.

"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved."

Eric Wettstein is a USAF Veteran and Founder & Owner of Optimum Counselor. Eric can be reached via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or by e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] or phone: 407-733-3317