[October 24, 2018] Today’s article is not about the reality show, Little People, Big World. While I’m a fan of the show and especially the star Matt Roloff , I am looking at ‘little people’ in a different way. Leaders often see people who are nowhere close to their power level as little people or perhaps a better word is invisible.
The lack of humility is a character flaw. It’s a defect of anyone who sees others as beneath them or simply deserving of contempt. I wrote here in the past that many leaders don’t have a clue about the benefits of humbleness.1 This may come as a surprise that any leader would have failed to learn this lesson long ago but alas we continue to see leaders looking down their noses at others.
It is not okay to have contempt for others. I was appalled during the most recent U.S. presidential election to see the presidential candidates demean and slam the working person who just wants to have a job, respect, a family, and good friends. The objective of many of their talking points was that you, the common folk, are a victim and you need my help. How disrespectful such an attitude?
I was reminded of an elderly lady who drove a school bus to my junior high school in Bastrop, Louisiana. Her name was Bambi. She yelled at us unruly kids as we sang and shouted our way while riding on her bus. Occasionally she had to stop the bus and threaten a few of the most boisterous kids but we all laughed.
No one respected her. My peers took our cue from the junior high principle who disparaged Roxy in front of us every time our bus arrived late; that was most days. Leadership today means treating even the most vulnerable person with dignity and respect. The principal didn’t do it and neither did we.
Bambi treated me well despite how she was treated and I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life when she helped me recover my lost chemistry textbook one day. I learned that no matter how insignificant a person may be to you, they are valuable as a person and they might actually help you. The little people are not really the little people.
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I am also a big fan of Little People, Big Word. Sometimes I think they are mistreated but always have a positive attitude and outgoing demeanor. Perhaps that is why I like it so much. Your main point about not treating people like they are little people is well taken.
I think that disrespect (and that is what you’re writing about) is less today than ever before but we hear and read about it more. Plus people are much more sensitive, weak minded, and impatient. These are just what I see and there are more, I”m sure. Another worthy blog post today.
Well placed observation and I think right on target.
There are many today who expect everything to be given to them because … just fill in the blank for a reason. They are also the same who expect the government to solve their problems. Sounds a lot like the “caravan” coming up from South America. This is what the world has come to and if you disagree, then you are trashed and considered a low life. I liked your article today, Gen. Satterfield. Thank you.
Good article today. It is worth it to be reading your blog today while all my team members are out to lunch and goofing around. I’m actually trying to read and study to make myself better.
“Bambi?” No wonder she was not given any respect with a name like that. I wonder how that name came about? It doesn’t comport with the job.
If there are no “little people”, there is no need for leaders.
As far as politicians are concerned, almost all political party officials are equal in “looking down” on others. Once elected to higher office, they really only care about retaining said position and climbing to a higher position.
Very good article today on another overlooked subject. Thanks Gen Satterfield for making my day.
You’re right. Results matter most. But how they get those results also matter just as much. Good achievements must be gotten only through moral behavior.
Name calling is as old as people have lived on this Earth and language began. Get over it. I like to see our politicians actually do something. Results of their work is what counts.
Yes, while politicians are the ones who publicly put others down and show disrespect, this will never change until there is a cultural shift away from the “give me more” mentality.
Flyover country
Deplorables
People with guns and religion
… and on and on it goes, while past-Pres Obama, Hillary Clinton, and a host of politicians and their cheerleaders in the media continue to insult and put us down. If you don’t fall in lockstep with them, you are the ‘little people’ deserving of no respect.
Great comment Max. I live in “flyover country” and couldn’t be more proud. I work hard, pay taxes, and vote.
Liberalism is a mental disorder. That’s why we see them saying such things. How horrific that our great nation has fallen so low.
I agree. Great comment Max.
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30 years ago when I began my leadership journey (I didn’t call it that at the time), I experienced most senior leaders who looked down upon us ‘pions.’ Just like many federal politicians today (Hillary Clinton comes to mind) they look down on us, call us names and disparage us (‘deplorables’), etc. That is more than a lack of character but of a sick mind.
Good observation Drew. I saw the same.
Agreed, we see senior leaders being much more humble today than in the past. Thanks Drew.
Great comment.
My mother scrubbed floors to earn enough to help me go to college and eventually an Army officer. Both my parents were hard workers but they never looked down on others. That’s the two lessons I gained from them.
Good story. Thanks Army Captain for sharing.
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