“Even the most innovative leaders rely upon the basics in
tough times.” [ Dale Collie ]
Tim didn’t slam down the phone, but there was no smile when
the call ended — more bad news from sales. And standing in the
doorway was the office manager with another personnel problem to
be resolved. The cup of coffee on his desk was getting colder and
colder, just like everyone’s attitude throughout the company.
Touching fingertips to his forehead and closing his eyes
briefly, he wondered what could be done to turn things around. It
seemed that everyone was becoming less and less enthusiastic
about the company since the recession started, but this is just
the time when we need everyone’s best effort.
The problems facing Tim today are almost insignificant compared
to the life or death prospects involved in his earlier military
service as an elite soldier ” a US Army Ranger. A twisted smile
did come to his face as he thought of that old saying, “At
least they’re not shooting at us today!”
Still, Tim knew that a lot of families depended on his
leadership and his ability to move things forward, good times and
bad. His military training had taught him that the bad attitudes
plaguing the company were his responsibility, not the fault of
someone else, And he remembered a specific pep talk from a Ranger
cadre officer on a miserable, rainy day in the mountains of North
Georgia.
Be all you can be
Water dripped from his helmet, and he shivered a little as the
cadre officer said, “Listen up, troops. I know we’ve had some
tough days here, and today’s going to be even harder. We’re
all dead tired. We haven’t had any food for two days. And we
have a long way to go before we can rest.
“In the next few hours we’re going to cross this mountain
and the river you see here on the map. It’s dangerous. The
success of the mission depends on each one of us. People are
going to get hurt if we fail in our leadership.
Everyone listened intently as he told the small group to pull
out their Ranger handbooks and review the key leadership
essentials. This didn’t seem to be a good time for a leadership
lesson. The books would get wet, but they’d been wet before,
and muddy, and crumpled, very much like these soldiers
themselves.
“Here’s the page — LDRSHIP,” he said. Read this and
think about each item.
What does this have to do with a utility company?
US Army Rangers practice the same time-proven leadership
principles as those used in the workplace.
The principles apply to leaders at all levels, from private to
general, from newly hired managers to CEOs. Regardless of the
number of employees, these leadership essentials apply to
organizations of all sizes.
The acronym LDRSHIP helps Rangers and others remember the key
leadership points that make an organization strong no matter how
rough it gets.
1. Loyalty – Are you loyal to both management and employees, and
do you have everyone’s unswerving allegiance?
2. Duty – Do you provide employees more than is expected, and is
your own attitude reflected in their work?
3. Respect – Do you expect the best of everyone, while treating
them with courtesy, honor and trust? Do you have the respect of
subordinates, peers, and senior management?
4. Selfless Service – Do you put the interests of others and the
company ahead of your own? Do your employees do the same?
5. Honor – Can you say that you and your staff exhibit a keen
sense of ethical conduct and principled character? Do you set the
example?
6. Integrity – Is integrity predominant among your priorities,
or has it been eroded by concession after concession? Do you see
signs of high integrity among employees?
7. Personal Courage – Do you have the courage to do the right
thing, regardless of circumstances or consequences? Can the same
be said of everyone in your company – from janitor to CEO?
If you, your managers, or your employees are weak in any of
these areas, you are vulnerable to big problems when you run into
a weak economy, operational difficulties, or major growth
opportunities.
Even in routine times, weaknesses in these areas create
bickering between departments, personnel turnover, quality
problems, lowered productivity, uncertain reliability of
individuals, and lower profits.
Back to the Rangers in the mountains
The cadre officer wanted individual responses as he asked,
“Which of these leadership essentials do you think we need to
emphasize today?”
It was a learning experience and a time of self-reflection as
each of the team thought about what was needed to get the best
from their own people in these harsh conditions.
Some thought that it was a time for selfless service. Others
thought it was a time for personal courage.
One Ranger explained that this conversation and their attention
to leadership essentials already revealed their own loyalty to the
soldiers as they considered ways to insure their safety as they
strive to accomplish the mission and their respect for each
soldier who would make it all possible.
The day was miserable, the soldiers were tired, and there was
still no food. But these leaders had a good attitude, and they
lifted morale as they struggled their way through the mountains
and made a successful river crossing.
What can I do in my company?
“They’re not shooting at us,” but we still face some tough
times. What action can you take to help everyone do their best?
Tim decided to show everyone the list that he had used as his
own LDRSHIP compass over the years and ask for feedback on how he
is doing.
You can do this in your own company. Impromptu surveys or a
discussion of these topics will reveal the strengths and
weaknesses that you face. The feedback you get from people who
truly want the best for your company will surprise you.
Once you know where you are, you’ll know what you need to do
to help everyone achieve as you struggle through tough times.
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