People want to know that they matter!

The following link is to a couple of great articles about leaders being coaches, champions and mentors.  It makes the point that leaders should see their team members firstly as individual human beings and means of production secondly.  Henry Ford once said that he wished he could only get the hands and backs of employees and not have to deal with the rest of the person.  In reality we don't have that choice, nor did Ford.  If it was possible, then leadership would be a cake walk.  We have to deal with the whole person, the good, the bad and the ugly.  This leadership relationship is why we have to take a moral approach, understanding that true leadership is an inside out process.  It is both a matter of the head and the heart.  As one of the articles states, people just want to know that they matter.  Go to this link to read the article.  I think you will enjoy them.  http://myemail.constantcontact.com/How-Well-Do-You-Love-Your-People-.html?soid=1101176038226&aid=3g9NGtSpO5c

Character Matters in Leading and in Living

For those who do not believe that moral character is the foundation of leadership, perhaps these three quotes from David McCullough’s 1992 book Truman will influence your thinking on this subject.


The first is a statement from General and Secretary of State George C. Marshall made to Truman during a birthday party toast while he was president.


“The full stature of this man will only be proven by history, but I want to say here and now that there has never been a decision made under this man’s administration, affecting policies beyond our shores, that has not been in the best interest of this country. It is not the courage of these decisions that will live, but the integrity of the man.” P. 614 Integrity


Note: What lives on after our career ends and our many decisions are forgotten or changed is our character, our character as a person and as a leader.


This second quote is by President Truman about General and Secretary of State Marshall


“He was a man you could count on to be truthful in every way, and when you find somebody like that, you have to hang on to them.” P.534 Honesty


Note: It was the trust that Truman and Marshall had in the other’s character that kept Marshall from resigning during a huge disagreement over de facto recognition of Israel as a nation in 1947. Had Marshall resigned in protest, as many thought he might do, Truman’s chances for reelection in 1948 would have been doomed. Marshall, while disagreeing with Truman’s decision adamantly, knew Truman was a man of high moral character and that he was acting in the best interest of the country. Marshall told Truman that although he disagreed with the decision he would not publicly disparage him or the decision. Relationships and trust make the difference in effectual leadership, as it did in this situation. When trust and integrity are integral parts of relationships people can disagree agreeably and they do not attempt to destroy each other’s character, reputation, or attempt to mischaracterize their motives.


This last one is part of a letter written by Assistant Secretary of State Dean Acheson to President Truman on Christmas Day 1947.


“But the greatest inspiration, Mr. President, has been the character of you-as President, you as a human being. Perhaps I can say best what is in my heart by telling you that my admiration for you, and my deep affection, have grown steadily since the day you honored me with your trust." P.560 Integrity


Note: You really can’t separate the office, title or rank from the person. Had Truman been of poor character as a man, he could not have been a president of high moral character. A person cannot “be” and “do” inconsistently for long. Sooner rather than later their true self will surface. As you “are” so you “do”. A person can hide poor character through a good reputation for only so long. Then their reputation and their character become one.


Have a great weekend and remember that leadership is from the inside out.

Esse Quam Videri!

Carpe Diem

Arete'

Michael Josephson Commentary: The Nature of Character 705.4

Here is another excellent commentary by Michael Josephson on the difference between reputation and character. It includes a great quote by Abraham Lincoln. I hope you enjoy it and have a safe and good weekend. Michael Josephson Commentary: The Nature of Character 705.4
Remember that character-based leadership is from the inside out! Jon

Post 3: Leadership Lessons for President G.W. Bush’s book titled Decision Points

This is third and final posting of leadership quotes I lifted from Decision Points.  I hope you will read the first and second posting too, if you haven't already.  It can be retrieved from the blog archive which is to the right of posting area.  The leadership trait that corresponds to the quote is included at the end of the quote along with the page number.

 “One of the lessons I took from Roosevelt and Reagan was to lead the public, not chase the opinion polls.” P.272

“The principle was straightforward: You cannot solve a problem until you diagnose it. Accountability would serve as a catalyst for reform.” P 274 Problem solving


“While I was willing to fine-tune legislation in response to Democratic concerns, I would not compromise my principles…” P.300 Character-based Leadership


“I prided myself on my ability to make crisp and effective decisions. Yet in the days after Katrina, that didn’t happen. The problem was not that made the wrong decisions. It was that I took too long to decide.” P. 310 Decisiveness


“One lesson for the 2004 Florida hurricanes was that solid preparation before a storm is essential to a successful response.” P. 314 Preparedness and Planning


“Lincoln discovered Generals Grant and Sherman. Roosevelt had Eisenhower and Bradley. I found David Petraeus and Ray Odierno.” P.389 Personnel (Getting the right people on the bus and the right person driving the bus)


“If you want the facts, it’s a size-ten shoe that he threw,” I said. I hoped that by trivializing the moment, I could keep the shoe thrower from accomplishing his goals of ruining the event.” P.392 Sense of Humor and Flexibility


This concludes the leadership postings from George Bush’s book titled Decision Points. I hope you gained some insight and picked up a few golden nuggets about leadership. If you get the opportunity please read the book. It doesn’t matter whether you voted for him or agree with him on the issues. The fact of the matter is that we can learn about the leadership discipline from people who are like and unlike us in attitude, aptitude, personality, and other areas of personality. Some of the best leadership lessons come from poor leaders, although I don’t think Bush was. By studying and observing in real time poor leaders, we learn what to do and learning what not to do.


I believe that George W. Bush, as are all leaders including you and me, has feet of clay. He made some mistakes, which in the book he did not hesitate at admit. That too is a lesson to learn in that we too will make mistakes and never be a perfect leader. Don’t let the fact that you are not going to get it right all the time keep you from being a decisive and proactive leader. Do the best you can to make the best decisions you can based upon the available information and time. I rather follow a leader who makes a mistake here and there rather than follow a non-leader who is frozen from the fear of failure or making a mistake. Like Bush don’t be afraid to take the bull by the horns and leaderup!


As always, remember that character-based leadership is from the inside out!


Esse Quam Videri!
Carpe Diem
Arete'