Leadership Part II

                I recently posted the first half of my thoughts on leadership. Today, I offer the second half. I find the current lack of leadership at all levels of government appalling. We’ve elected a group of largely self-serving, self-absorbed politicians that gain their high office simply by pandering to our whims. They say what we want to hear, so we elect them. We must change our paradigm. We must start look for men and women who willingly take on the mantle of true leadership. Today, in Leadership Part II, I finish the list I started last week. I hope you enjoy and consider how you view leadership and those we select for prominent positions.

                True leaders praise in public and chastise in private. Good leaders take every opportunity to praise the subordinates and organization. They understand that people need reinforcement. But, leaders must chastise occasionally. It is part of the job description. When they must upbraid a subordinate, they do so in private. Public chastisement generates resentment and a lack of trust. Properly handled, private chastisement engenders trust and increases a willingness to change and an increased desire to labor for ongoing mission accomplishment.

                True leaders develop and communicate a vision that includes as many as possible. Leaders see a reality that does not exist and the road to that new place. They then find the means to communicate that to their subordinates, to the entire organization. Additionally, leaders know that we cannot leave others behind. Success includes as many people as possible. True leaders develop inclusive plans and practices that bring others up to the new place.

                True leaders willingly take risk. Progress often entails risk. True leaders understand that they must accept risk to obtain their goals. While the leader may see the goal and the road to get there, others may not. Leaders accept the risk as part of process and face it unflinchingly. They take appropriate actions to mitigate the risk, knowing that they cannot remove all risk. Despite the risk, they move forward. They do not accept guidance from their fears, knowing that our fears so often mislead us.

                True leaders understand that others will criticize them and accept that. One of the truths about being a leader is that others will always find things criticize about them. Leaders develop a thick enough skin to avoid lashing out at critics. But, at the same time they carefully listen in case there is some justifiable comment. Then they make the adjustment necessary to mission success. They do not let the criticism become their identity.

                True leaders understand that they are fallible. All of us harbor dreams or delusions of perfection. Leaders know that they will make mistakes and accept that. When they do make mistakes, they quickly admit them and then adjust their behavior as necessary. Understanding the inevitability of mistakes, they extend grace to others that make them.

                True leaders know that their organization will ultimately resemble them. Organizations adopt the personality and manner of thinking of their leader. Knowing this, leaders carefully consider what kind of person they are and make necessary adjustments. They minimize their faults and maximize their positive traits. They work hard to enhance their positive influence. 

                True leaders work themselves out of a job. Though all leaders should aspire to be qualified and the one for the job, good leaders consistently train their subordinates to assume greater roles of leadership. They envision a future where their subordinates take on greater roles of responsibility, greater levels of authority, and greater levels of autonomy.

                 There is nothing new or revolutionary in this list. Any decent work on leadership will include these ideas in some form or fashion. The Army teaches these traits of leadership at all levels and expects all leaders to display them. Despite readily available good guidance, leadership eludes many. We see many so call leaders who disregard good leadership practices; and all too often we suffer under such poor leaders. Perhaps, as we consider the various men and women that hold leadership positions, elected and otherwise, we will remember some of the more pertinent traits. And, when the time comes to cast ballots, we will vote for those who display true leadership and not for those who merely tell us what we want to hear. Then, if we elect enough leaders, our nation will move a good direction.