[April 11, 2018] You and I have probably had a similar experience with a boss that made us madder-n-hell. Like so many folks, I had a boss that had few leadership skills yet held the title of “Commander.” To those who worked for him, he was a leader in name only.
I personally don’t hold the expectation that everyone must be a leader. I don’t expect it even in the military; although many military leaders do. What I do hope to see are people in positions of formal authority actively exercising their leadership skills.
“For I shall show that it isn’t positions which lend men distinction, but men who enhance positions.” – Agiad King Leonidas
There is nothing more dangerous than a military leader who is a leader in name only. Leadership is not about a position title or designation. It’s about inspiring others, having influence, and showing passion for your profession. And it matters not what profession or job or position we may have, leadership is not about the title we hold.
In America, we are told there is a shortage of good leaders. The decline of leadership is often discussed in the quantitative form; declining numbers of real leaders. At issue however is not the numbers of leaders but the quality of leaders we do have.
The U.S. military, like so many other professions, continues to struggle with the development and retention of good leaders. Because the need in the private sector is so great for those who can exercise leadership skills, military leaders are pulled away to ply their trade with private companies that need them.
U.S. President Harry S Truman once said that “where there is no leadership, society stands still.” Progress occurs only when skilled leaders take all prospects to transform things for the better.
Either we learn from history or we will repeat the mistakes of others. Ignorance is rampant in our society, so why not step out and learn something about leadership and the history that helps great leaders.
When I was in school, history was BORING. But now after I’ve been out for a few decades and I get to pick what I learn about, I find it fascinating.
Warriors have value even in death. Read what happened after King Leonidas died at the Battle of Thermopylae. That in itself is a great story too. http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/after-300-posthumous-vengeance-king-leonidas-sparta-009630
It would take me all day to list the bad bosses in my lifetime. Many lacked even the most basic leader skills. How they got to that point is beyond my imagination. It seems like they had their position go to their head or something. Ego? Perhaps. Stupidity? Perhaps.
So true. Too many “leaders” are not leaders at all but individuals holding positions.
Good article today General Satterfield and thanks too for the quote from King Leonidas who was certainly a great warrior.
Yes, thanks for good article. Much appreciated.
All thumbs up.
I had a lifetime of leaders in name only. In fact, so many were so bad that it provided me with the motivation to learn how to be a better boss. I was successful later in life just for that reason.
The idea that a person’s position makes them a leader has been recognized since at least the beginning of recorded human history. We can see this in the quote by King Leonidas. Any time we see parallels between ancient times and today, it certainly means something big. Thanks for emphasizing it for us.
I think anyone reading these pages will remember a boss they had at one time that was terrible. Hollywood even makes movies about Horrible Bosses http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1499658/
That movie was pretty bad but the idea is a good one.
One point I agree with most emphatically and that is the most dangerous leader is one who thinks he is a leader. You need to put this in bold.
I never heard it called leader “in name only” but that makes perfect sense to me. Kind of like Republicans in Name Only (RINOs).
There are many articles and books out about the Spartans and their culture. One short read is here: https://www.thoughtco.com/king-leonidas-of-sparta-battle-thermopylae-112481. The Battle of Thermopylae is one of the most famous battles in the history of mankind; as it should be.
Yes, the military does want all their troops to be leaders once they have a little time in the service. This is a good thing and that expectation is valuable throughout their lifetime. This is why military service has such value beyond its immediate utility.
You are right as usual Janna.
This is what my dad keeps telling me. Cheers!
I got a good chuckle out of your leadership post this morning. Thinking back to my old army days, I could also reflect upon those officers and sergeants who were terrible leaders. Most of them, however, were fairly junior in the rank structure but I didn’t know that at the time.
Great quote from Agiad King Leonidas.