I would rather have a Medal of Honor than be President of the United States.

 – President Harry S. Truman

Not long ago I had the privilege of visiting the Medal of Honor Museum aboard the USS Yorktown in beautiful Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Showcased in this museum is a moving tribute to our military heroes who served our country with honor, valor, and bravery.

What caught my eye was recognition given to the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor, William “Willie” Johnston. Born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont in 1850, Johnston was a drummer boy in Company D of the 3^rd Vermont Infantry. His service in the Seven Day retreat in the Peninsula Campaign was exemplary.

During the retreat many of the men threw away their equipment so they had less of a load to carry. Johnston retained his drum and brought it safely to Harrison’s Landing. It was there he had the honor drumming for the division parade. He was the only boy to bring his instrument to the battlefield. Upon receiving word of Johnston’s bravery, President Lincoln suggested he be given a medal; a Medal of Honor.

Heroic acts by leaders like Johnston cause us to reflect on our motives and how we might better serve those we lead. An 11 year-old drummer boy on a battlefield 163 years ago teaches us three leadership traits worth emulating.

Leaders carry their own weight. While the other men in the infantry threw away their equipment, Johnston held on to his. So often during difficult times, the leader is not the one who discards the weight of responsibility but carries it on his shoulders. Think about it – how many people in your organization are shirking their responsibilities and how many are stepping up and being responsible? See a disparity?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.” At a tender young age, Johnston exemplified leadership beyond his years of understanding. As a drummer, he reminds us that it is not about rank or role within the organization, but heroes in our midst can be found in unlikely places if we dare to look.

Leaders know how to stand alone. At the conclusion of the retreat it was only Johnston who returned his drum from the battlefield. And it was only Johnston who had the honor of drumming for the division parade. When others exempt themselves from the bravery of the moment, they exempt themselves also from the honor that follows.

It’s been said, “When you are forced to stand alone, you realize what you have in you.” When you march to the beat of your own drum you do so knowing that there are certain places where only few leaders go. When others choose the path of least resistance, you can cast your lot with the company of the brave. Those ranks may be few but there are worse things than standing alone. By standing alone today you will lead the parade tomorrow.

Leaders summon uncommon courage in uncommon times. By shedding their gear, the other men did what was expedient. By holding on to his drum, Johnston did the exceptional. C.S. Lewis said, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” What is your testing point?

Testing points come and go, but the enduring qualities of honor, sacrifice, and valor shine in unexpected ways from unlikely persons. This 11 year-old drummer boy distinguished himself among men and earned a medal from the president.

Consider the ranks of your organization. Who are the ones that stand out by their service, sacrifice, and dedication to the organization? These are the ones who march to the beat of their own drum- called to stand out, not to blend in. They may not have the title, but are leaders worthy of respect.

Are you marching to the beat of your own drum?

 

© 2013 Doug Dickerson

E. Joseph Cossman said, “Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.” Focusing on your goals is essential to your leadership. Your vision and path to success is contingent upon your ability to focus and work your vision. But distractions happen. We get pulled in different directions and we are tempted to take our eyes off of our goals.  While you can expect challenges on the road to success it is important that you not allow them consume you to the point that they are all you see. Keep your focus, work your plan, stay on course, and finish strong.

 

 

If you enjoy reading the “Leadership Minute” you will especially enjoy reading Doug’s books, Leaders Without Borders & Great Leaders Wanted! Visit Doug’s website to order your copies today!

        

Website: www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com

Follow at: www.twitter.com/managemntmoment

 

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. – Winston Churchill

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.”

The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir.” It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Bewildered, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.”

For leaders, there is nothing quite as important as listening. In fact, according to a report in Business News Daily (http://bit.ly/ABntlJ) it ranks as one of the top reasons why employees hate their bosses – they do not listen. To be sure, there is a time and place for leaders to step up and speak up, but the truly effective ones know when to be quiet and listen.  Here are three tips to becoming a better listener and why it matters.

To be informed, listen with your ears. This is the most basic form of your communication as a leader. Listening for informational purposes is primarily to receive information that one needs to perform a task or make a decision. It has little to do with anything beyond what is communicated at the time of delivery. And in some cases this is perfectly acceptable and appropriate given the circumstances.

But as a leader if this is your primary form of communication then you are not engaged with your team and are likely experiencing some form of deficiency with respect to how they view your leadership. Listening to be informed is necessary at times, but if you want to lead on a higher level you will have to step up.

To connect, listen with your heart. Informational listening is appropriate at times, but to lead on a higher level you will have to listen on a higher level. When your team members buy into your vision, when their passions are your passions, and when your goals become theirs goals – then listening to your team takes on a whole new meaning. And it is when you listen with your heart that you connect with their heart.

As a leader there is nothing more powerful than the ability to connect with those around you. Be it your staff, clients, or shareholders. The most meaningful and effective way of doing that is found when hearts are connected. Whatever the challenges you face or the goals you have if you have made that connection then together you can face it and together you can achieve it.

To demonstrate (listening), let your actions show it. Listening in some ways can be like paying lip service. You can go through the motions of listening but at the end of the day nothing changes. The same problems exist tomorrow that existed today and the levels of frustration only worsen. But as a leader who has made the connection with his people, the ultimate show of respect is given when you follow up with your actions.

To be sure, not every idea and not every proposal is going to be a fit. But the respect you show by listening builds your credibility as a leader and fosters a culture of respect. The greatest thing you can do as a leader is to create the climate in which ideas are welcomed and everyone has a voice that is heard.

Are you listening?

 

© 2013 Doug Dickerson

 

Visit Doug’s website at: www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com

       

Follow at: www.twitter.com/managemntmoment

Winston Churchill said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Leaders need courage on both fronts. But what I have discovered over the years is that I learn more by listening than I do by talking. To be sure, there is a time and place as a leader to speak. But the wisdom of leadership more times than not is found in the ability to listen and reflect upon the situation at hand. Don’t be afraid to listen. In fact, embrace it.  You can be just as effective as a leader by practicing the art of listening as you can by speaking. Wouldn’t you agree?

 

 

If you enjoy reading the “Leadership Minute” you will especially enjoy reading Doug’s books, Leaders Without Borders & Great Leaders Wanted! Visit Doug’s website to order your copies today.

       

Website: www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com

Follow at: www.twitter.com/managemntmoment