Custer’s Last Stand, as many like to refer to it, was driven
by a single failure in understanding a critical principle of leadership. Everybody thinks it happened because there
were several thousand Indians who attacked a couple hundred members of the 7th
Cavalry.
I contend it happened because of a lack of exercising the
leadership principle discussed in the following paragraphs. If George Armstrong Custer had lived by that
principle, he and his men may have lived to a ripe old age!
I’ll use a metaphor to set the stage for the principle to
which I refer.
I love the sound of a powerful engine on anything: drag
racer, jet plane, train engine, anything. There's something about the guttural
rumble of the engine that reverberates substance, strength, and performance.
Know what I mean?
Well, just as an engine can generate high power so can you.
On the other hand, the true potential of that power is directly impacted by how
you apply it.
An example… If the power of a drag racer is applied anywhere
but on a race track, its true potential can never be realized. Can you imagine
going full throttle down the main street of your town in a big time, fully
loaded drag racer? A disaster in the making for sure…or, sheer disappointment
if you see it relatively quietly and slowly meander down the avenue.
The potential is there but the power can't be applied or
appreciated.
Now, consider your personal ability to power up your
leadership potential. Take the concept of power and its application in all your
relationships including that with yourself.
If you control others through a position of power, your
potential for getting the best out of them is very limited. People don't want
to be controlled. They want to be led.
Leading isn't about controlling. It's about inspiring.
Position power dilutes inspiration every time!
On the other hand, when you control yourself you increase
your power exponentially. Leaders seen as in personal control are so inspiring
as to be in total control of those they lead.
As a leader, to power up you can't push! To power up
exercise personal control and pull!
What do you think would have happened to
Custer and his men if he had followed the above leadership principle? What is an example of a contemporary leader
who follows that principle?
Please share your thoughts by commenting below.
And…please forward this information to others by following the social
media share link at the top or bottom of this post.
Thank
you.
Comments
Post a Comment