I once saw a short video of Colin Powell answering the question, “How you would define the key characteristics of effective leadership that allow you to go and be an advocate for good?” (jjbpaca, 2011). Powell’s immediate and unwavering response was “Trust” (jjbpaca, 2011). Powell then went on to explain further that by creating a condition of trust you can take people past what they thought was possible (jjbpaca, 2011). As a leader, how might you behave in such a way to gain the trust of your followers and motivate them to excellence? An unlikely source of servant leadership methods comes from this famous military leader. Chairman Powell offers some key pointers, the first of which is that a leader builds trust with a clear mission and selfless service (jjbpaca, 2011). Northouse (2016) seconds this idea by stating that servant leadership “begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead” (p. 225).
“The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.” (Harari, 1996, p. 34) That last statement is a hard one to hear for any aspiring leader or conscientious person. No one wants to fail. Powell’s bit of advice here is that, as a leader, you cannot just point in a direction and do a lot of shouting. As a leader, you must know your team – not micromanage – but know them as individuals. You must have empathy for their life problems as well as their work problems, in other words, exhibit emotional healing (Northouse, 2016, p. 233). It is important to listen and support your team when they come to you with an issue. They have to have confidence that if you cannot solve the problem that you will take it to someone who will or that you will weather the storm with them. Putting followers first is another key characteristic of servant leadership (Northouse, 2016, p. 233).
Awareness is another important characteristic of the servant leader (Northouse, 2016, p. 227). They are aware of both the environment around them and their impact on others (Northouse, 2016, p. 227). Powell says it this way, “Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant” (Harari, 1996, p. 35). Having a strong vision for a company or a team is not worth much if it cannot be implemented (Harari, 1996, p. 35). Additionally, Powell contends that when a team gets bogged down with process they may lose sight of the goal or miss a critical detail (Harari, 1996, p. 35). Northouse (2016) furthers this idea by explaining that the leader is one who understands the vision and can think through difficult problems to provide innovative solutions (p. 232).
And finally, “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier” (Harari, 1996, p. 36). Having confidence that you have the best team; exuding the optimism that your team will complete the task is simply contagious. Now, your optimism cannot be the fairy tale kind, it must be bounded in fact or you might lose those that follow you because they think you are not realistic. However, if you exemplify the qualities of a selfless leader; if you have trained your team and made a good plan for success; then let your optimism shine through and buoy those around you. Empowering your team builds confidence and allows a team to solve problems in innovative ways (Northouse, 2016, p. 235). Believe that your team is amazing and they will believe it too.
In that short video excerpt I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, Powell told a story about the best leadership lesson he learned during infantry school. A sergeant said to him, “Lieutenant! You’ll know you are a good leader when people follow you, if only out of curiosity” (jjbpaca, 2011). If you aspire to be a good…no…a great leader, then demonstrate empathy those who follow you, be aware of the destination, and most of all believe in your team and yourself.
References
Harari, O. (1996). Quotations from chairman powell: A leadership primer. Management Review, 85(12), 34-37. Retrieved from http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/docview/206683734?accountid=13158
jjbpaca. (2011, February 10). The Essence of Leadership [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ocSw1m30UBI
Northouse, P. (2016). Leadership Theory and Practice (7th ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.