This is a continuation of the postings on leadership traits that build trust as illustrated in chapter 14 of the book titled Leadership Lessons from West Point. This post will discuss the attribute of loyalty. Loyalty, as you recall if you read the previous postings on trust, was ranked in a survey of military personnel as being number two out of ten of the most important attributes for developing trust by a leader. The survey participates’ view of loyalty was fundamentally defined as the commitment of a leader to “looking out for their welfare.”
Colonel Major Patrick Sweeney, the author of chapter 14 in Leadership Lessons from West Point, writes about how loyalty is a trait that former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani considers a “cornerstone of his leadership philosophy” and “the vital virtue.” Giuliani understands loyalty by a leader as being willing to take the political heat to support employees under one’s command.
Below are two stories I want to share with you that are excellent examples of this type of loyalty; loyalty that is demonstrated by an authentic concern and genuine caring by a leader toward those under their command.
The first story occurred during the Vietnam War involving then Colonel Norman Schwarzkopf. Schwarzkopf found himself and his men in a very unsafe and untenable position. His unit was operating near the Cambodian border where the rules of engagement were very different for his unit then those of the enemy. Orders straight from President Johnson restricted the America military from crossing into Cambodia in fear of spreading the war and also of exposing Johnson in an impolitic light. The problem that Schwarzkopf faced was that the enemy had no such restriction of movement. Each night the enemy would send squads across the border to attack the America forces. More nights than not, America soldiers were being killed and wounded by these enemy soldiers.
Schwarzkopf had a choice to make. Would he obey the rules of engagement and not cross into Cambodia knowing full well each night more of his soldiers would likely be killed. Or, would he disobey the orders, go into Cambodia and kill the enemy to protect his soldiers. Also at stake were his military career and the certainty of a court martial if it was discovered that he authorized an excursion into Cambodia. Does anyone think that leadership is easy?
Well, Schwarzkopf did what a trustworthy and loyal leader should have done. He did the right thing (what was best for his soldiers) in lieu of, doing the thing right (obeying orders directly). He planned and executed an engagement with the enemy in Cambodian territory and eliminated the nightly threats to his men. Schwarzkopf described this decision in his autobiography, It Doesn’t Take A Hero as a typical decision that separates a leader from a careerist. It should be noted here that Warren Bennis, the guru of leadership, believes that one of the great problems with leadership today is that we too often fail to do the right thing because we are trying so hard to do things right.
Fortunately for Schwarzkopf and all Americans, then and now, that he did the right thing and his actions were not discovered. He went on to achieve the rank of four-star general and led the United States and our allies to victory in the first gulf war.
Do you think that the soldiers under Schwarzkopf’s command considered him a loyal leader who would always make or do the right thing to protect them? I believe so! After all he put his entire military career on the line to save their lives.
The second example of leadership loyalty is from the greatest of all books on leadership, the Holy Bible. The story is found in the book of 1Chronicles 11:16-19. This story is about the leadership of King David and is an exemplary story about leadership loyalty as well as subordinate loyalty.
David was in camp preparing to do battle with the Philistines who were garrisoned in Bethlehem. The story begins with King David saying that he wished someone would bring him a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. David was speaking figuratively and did not really expect anyone to actually do this. Three of David’s most loyal and bravest men heard David and risked their lives by actually braking through the Philistine line. They drew water out of the well at Bethlehem and brought it to David. David, in a splendid demonstration of love, care, and loyalty to his men refused the water and poured it out on the ground. In verse 19 David says…“My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? For with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it.”
Do you think this act of love by David reinforced what his brave soldiers already knew, i.e., that David loved and cared for them and he would never do anything that unnecessarily put their lives in harm’s way? Do actions such as this build trust in a team? I think so! Would you follow David or a leader like him?
We all want leaders who will stand by us when our lives and interest are at stake. Leaders who will not run for cover and seek their own interest and safety and leave us to fend for ourselves. We want leaders who will go to bat for us when we “do the right thing verses doing the thing right”
As Colonel Sweeney states, “(L)eaders who willingly incur personal risk or cost to protect their subordinates’ welfare demonstrate(s) loyalty, which serves to bolster trust.” It furthermore leads to conditions where they, as followers, will reciprocate loyalty to their leader.
Leadership by Example is the next attribute to be discussed. Stay tuned! Esse Quam Videri
Carpe Diem
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