Thursdays Leadership Insight; Four Leadership Lessons in Service from our Military
Veterans day commemorates the end of the first World War and those who have served and are serving in our military. The United States is a free country today due to the sacrifices of these citizens who served. The United States has a long history of citizen service in the armed forces. On June 10, 1775, John Adams, a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress, proposed that state militias be formed into a Continental Army to fight for independence. Five days later, June 15, 1775, Adams proposed the army be lead, not by a New Englander like himself but a Virginian, George Washington. The creation of a citizen army built on service to the country was unique as many countries hired mercenaries from other countries to fight their wars. This focus on service is a hallmark of the United States military today and provides a guiding light to develop leaders in any organization. Washington became our 1st President, and Adams was our 2nd President. Adams' son John Quincy, was our 6th President. Military service is not a prerequisite; however, twenty-nine of our forty-five Presidents have had military experience. This Thursday’s Leadership Insight focuses on four leadership lessons in service from our military that can be applied in leading any organization.
Leadership Service Lesson #1
Leadership is about being selfless to those you serve and lead.
"General Mattis decided it was better for the young officer to spend Christmas Day with his family, and so he chose to have duty on Christmas Day."
General Charles C. Krulak
Venae Le, in a 2018 CNBC article, provided two examples of service by Two Marine Corps Generals, Charles C. Krulak and James Mattis. "In 1998, General Charles C. Krulak had been preparing for an annual tradition where he delivered hundreds of Christmas cookies to post guards. On Christmas day at around 4 a.m., Krulak headed to Virginia to the Quantico command center. Once there, he asked the lance corporal who the officer on duty was. "Sir, it's Brigadier General Mattis," the lance corporal answered. "No, no, no. I know who General Mattis is said, General Krulak. I mean, who's the officer of the day today, Christmas day?" Krulak asked with persistence. General Mattis, the soldier repeated. A short time later, Mattis appeared, fully dressed in his uniform, complete with his sword. Krulak then asked the seasoned military leader why he chose to be on duty. "General Mattis told him that the young officer who was scheduled to have duty on Christmas day had a family, and General Mattis decided it was better for the young officer to spend Christmas Day with his family, and so he chose to have duty on Christmas Day." Two Marine Corp senior officers who could have taken Christmas off choose to serve those they lead.
Leadership Service Lesson #2
Leadership is about serving and being a model to those you lead by building trust.
"This is a leadership thing. I will stand in line to get the first shots to build trust."
General Gustave Perna, Commander of Operation Warp Speed
Four-Star General Gustave Perna was two months away from retirement when COVID19 struck the United States. He chose to stay in the service and to coordinate Operation Warp Speed. Operation Warp Speed is the development , transportation, distribution of a vaccine to treat COVID 19. His civilian partner Lieutenant General (Retired) Paul Ostrowski, is a member of the Army Senior Executive Service and currently serves as the Director of Supply, Production, and Distribution for Operation Warp Speed (OWS). These two leaders are charged with delivering vaccines to 300 million Americans by February 2021.In response to a question of trust in taking the vaccine in an interview by 60 Minutes. David Martin General Perna was clear about his responsibility to build trust" This is a leadership thing . I will stand in line to get the first shots to build trust". He and Ostrowski are models of service in leadership
Leadership Service Lesson #3
Leaders are entirely responsible and accountable for their decisions to those they serve and lead.
“The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”
Dwight Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe World War II
Dwight Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. He commanded the most massive invasion in history on June 6, 1944. He clearly understood the implications, and, in fact, he had to postpone the invasion one day from June 5 to June 6. He is often remembered for his D-Day speech to troops reminding them of their duty and service to free Europe as a crusade. Eisenhower wrote a second note for possible distribution if the landings failed. "Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone." The second note is now a history trivia question. It is an example of service and responsibility by leaders; he would have accepted total blame.Interestingly; he never took credit for the invasion's success as he credited those who served.
Leadership service Lesson #4
Leadership requires continual growth and building up others.
“I don't see how the credit can go to anyone other than the company-grade officers and senior NCOs who led the way.”
D-Day Veteran Ellery
The United States Military is based on leadership at all levels. A strength of any military team is they can function if a commanding officer is injured or dead. The late historian of the D-Day Invasion Stephan F. Ambrose noted in his D-Day Classic book D-Day The Climactic Battle of World War II an interview with an invasion veteran named Ellery. "When you talk about combat leadership under fire on the beach at Normandy," Ellery concluded, "I don't see how the credit can go to anyone other than the company-grade officers and senior NCOs who led the way. The military today emphasizes leadership training and continued growth as leaders . This practice fosters the belief that all members are leaders.
“if your actions inspire others to dream more, do more and become more you are a leader”
John Quincy Adams,6th President of the United States
The United States Military has a rich belief in citizens who serve and lead proposed by John Adams and acted on by George Washington in 1775. John Adams son John Quincy Adams, our 6th President, provided a leadership model in service often quoted today “if your actions inspire others to dream more, do more and become more you are a leader.” Those who serve have faced disasters, wars, and pandemics. They approach these challenges with a commitment to serve and provide leaders today with models of service in leadership in this uncertain volatile world.
Leadership Question for you ;
How do you model service in your leadership?
