Words for Leaders

S.L.A. Marshall interviewed thousands of allied troops immediately after some of the largest battles of WWII. He produced one of the most comprehensive studies of leadership ever produced. Here is one of his conclusions:

"The art of leadership is the art of dealing with humanity, of working diligently on behalf of men, of being sympathetic with them, but equally, of insisting that they make a square facing toward their own problems."

This describes one of the keys of leadership--to hold people accountable for doing the job.

Make A Difference

Thanks Jim Busch

Words for leaders

Theodore Roosevelt was one of the great leaders in American History. He lead the US to a place of world dominance in the early 20th century. Here is the cornerstone of his leadership philosophy:

"Example is the most potent of all things"

During the Spanish American War the Roosevelt's rough riders were pinned done by murderous rifle fire. When Roosevelt decided to take the hill held by the entrenched Spanish he did not order them forward, he led them. He not only took the lead in the advance up the hill but he went on horseback. As the only man on a horse he made himself a prominent target. He did this to encourage his men by showing them that he was not afraid. Throughout his career, Roosevelt made sure his image and actions were in perfect alignment with his words. You may not have to take a hill under fire, but you can show your people that you are willing to work hard and not let stress or negativity get to you.

Make A Difference

Thanks Jim Busch

Words for leaders

This is the motto of the United States Navy Construction Battalions the "Seabees":

"The difficult we do right away, the impossible takes a little longer."

I like this quote because of the attitude it promotes. It is up to us as managers to set the pace of the organization. We should always here a clock ticking in the back of our heads. We should always want to "get on with it" no matter how challenging the task before us. During WWII the Seabees built airstrips in record time in the middle of a jungle while under heavy attack. This makes getting a project done on deadline look pretty easy.

Make A Difference

Thanks Jim Busch

Words for Leaders

Here's some good advice from "25 Management Lessons From the Customer's Side of the Counter" by James H. Donnelly, Jr.

"Management and leadership are exercised outside the office, not inside the office."

I am a huge fan of Errol Flynn movies. These idealistic films portray the world as it should be, rather than how it is. There is a line from "They died with their boots on" that I love. As his regiment is about to go into battle Flynn's character is asked "Where will the General's headquarters be located sir?" to which Flynn replies "At the head of the attacking column!" Take Errol's advice, the best way to know what is going on and what your people need is to place yourself in the middle of the action.

Make A Difference

Thanks Jim Busch

Words for leaders

One of the best books on time management is Alan Lakein's "How to get control of your time and your life." Here is one of my favorite quotes from this outstanding work.

"Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now"

This quote expresses why I believe one of the most important activities of a manager is planning.

Make A Difference

Thanks Jim Busch

Words for Leaders

This week's quote is one of the long standing tenets of the U.S. Military.

"You cannot be a leader and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow too."
Sam Rayburn

When you are talking to your people don't criticize your company's leadership. You want your people to do what you ask them to do whether they agree with you or not, you have to model the behavior.

Keep making a difference!

Thanks Jim Busch

Leadership Thoughts

One of the first books I read after becoming a manger was "Managing" by Hal Geneen. Geneen was the chairman of the board of ITT. Each chapter started with a quote from Geneen. My favorite was:

"Managers Must Manage"

This might seem too simple to be worth remembering, but think about this statement. no matter what happens, bad economy, new competition whatever, we must manage. There is no sense complaining r offering excuses, we just need to get it done. We must manage!

Keep Smiling, Keep Leading!

Thanks Jim Busch

Leadership Thoughts

Those of you who know me know that I am a lover of words. To me, the power of words to carry an idea or a thought from one mind to another completely unimpeded by time or distance is pure magic. I especially love pithy quotations that speak great truths in a line or two. This is why I use quotes so freely in my writings and training sessions--I like to borrow ideas that emanate from much better brains than the one that calls my skull home. Each week I will share a quote with you that I fell has something to offer managers and leaders.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."--John Quincy Adams

Keep smiling. Keep Leading!

Thanks Jim Busch