What Type of Leader Are You? – Part 2

February 2009 NRA News

by YNCS Ralph H. Hensley III, USN, National VP for Enlisted Programs

This month, we celebrate Black History Month and the achievements African Americans made in preserving our democracy since being brought to this country in chains, fighting for their freedom on Civil War battlefields, and changing the minds of generations through their many contributions and perseverance. As we celebrate Black History Month, let's never forget our country's founding principles and that all humankind is equal are God's eyes.

Before I get into this month's column, I pray that God keeps our Shipmates in harm's way safe from harm and brings them home safely to the loved ones awaiting their return.

Last month's column started by asking "What type of leader am I?" and started looking into the servant leadership model. The seven principles of servant leadership:

1. Humble your heart;
2. First be a follower;
3. Find greatness in service;
4. Take risks;
5. Take up the towel;
6. Share responsibility and authority; and,
7. Build a team, are what genuine chiefs learn during transition lessons. Transition is what makes chief petty officers a little different from other service NCOs.

Along with other authors and books, Gene Wilkes' Jesus on Leadership is the main book I used to explore servant leadership. One won't find Wilkes' book on any service leadership reading list; it's a worthwhile read. Now, let's delve into the seven principles:

1. Humble your heart. According to Wilkes, humility is "a byproduct of seeing yourself in relation to the task you have been entrusted with as the leader." He also notes that "humility, like meekness, can be perceived as weakness" but approaching life with humility will allow one to think of her/his abilities and actions as no greater, and no lesser, than they really are. Real humility mandates one to be completely honest with oneself. However, do not confuse humility with pride.
2. First be a follower. We are born followers. Everything we learn is based on the ability to follow and mock. As a leader, one must build trust which will allow others to follow confidently. However, when one learns to be both a follower and a leader, one will master this principle.
3. Find greatness in service. Dynamic leaders find greatness in service. They are followers, learn to communicate, build strong relationships, are always willing to serve, set positive example for others to follow, edify others not themselves in order to build teamwork, and never take on an "it's not my job" attitude. Adam Denmark's article, "Unlocking the Keys to Dynamic Leadership," provides more information and examples on how to find greatness in service.
4. Take risks. This principle centers around seeking initiative and innovation. In his article, "Seeking Initiative and Innovation? Reward Failure," Jim McCormick states, "If you want to increase initiative and innovation, you have to encourage and embrace failure. A culture that punishes less-than-ideal risk-related out comes will stifle both initiative and innovation." Look back through history at the risks taken to forward humankind. Leaders who fail to take risks, do not award initiative or innovation, or punish failure are doomed to failure themselves.
5. Take up the towel. Many of you are familiar with the story of the "Last Supper." After being betrayed, Jesus took up a servant's towel and washbasin and washed His disciples' feet. He humbled Himself and shared His love. In leadership, the ability to take up the towel and wash someone's feet is symbolic of overcoming one's pride and ego. Serving oneself up to another demonstrates humility and service. In today's practice, it may be akin to doing what we say we'll do and following through.
6. Share responsibility and authority. Involving others is how one completes a mission. Sure, it can be easier to complete a simple mission on one's own. Sharing the mission ensures different views are taken into effect which can enhance this outcome. However, leaders maintain responsibility for ensuring mission completion.
7. Build a team. This principle takes vision, commitment, and trust. Leaders must be able to relate to others in order to build a successful team. Building teams moves one toward challenge, through change, with more confidence and also generates energy and enthusiasm for life. If you don't lean toward Christian views, servant leadership is proven and has been noted as far back as approximately 600 B.C., when the Chinese sage Lao Tzu wrote The Tao Te Ching, a strategic treatise on servant leadership:

FORTY-NINE
The greatest leader forgets himself
And attends to the development of others.
Good leaders support excellent workers.
Great leaders support the bottom ten percent.
Great leaders know that
The diamond in the rough
Is always found "in the rough."

(Quoted from The Way of Leading People: Unlocking Your Integral Leadership with The Tao Te Ching.)

In an on-line article from the Leaderto-Leader Institute, Larry Spears also notes ten servant leader characteristics:

1. Listening;
2. Empathy;
3. Healing;
4. Awareness;
5. Persuasion;
6. Conceptualization;
7. Foresight;
8. Stewardship;
9. Commitment to the growth of people; and,
10. Building community. The leader must embrace these characteristics to be successful. To explore these characteristics, go to http://www.leadertoleader.org/knowledgecenter/journal.aspx?ArticleID=51 and read Spears' article.

An "ahah" moment one must experience is realizing our Shipmates are not tools or cogs in some machine but valued teammates we rely on to save our lives. To climb successfully the leadership ladder from seaman recruit to master chief, one must understand that his/her own success is founded on a deep desire to help others.

Before I sign off, I remind you that our wounded heroes recovering at National Naval Medical Center Bethesda are in need of electric razors, water, Gatorade, break-away gym suits, and pt shorts. To learn how to donate, go to http://www.bethesda. med.navy.mil, click on "Fallen Heroes" and "donations."

Next month, we'll briefly review Jim Collins' Good to Great and some of its principles. Keep in mind, a real leader leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, directs, and protects. Until then, I remain your humble servant and Shipmate.