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Being a good leader begins with service
By Colin J. Campbell
In 2011 when Jim Collins, the author of Good to Great, accepted the appointment to the Class of 51 Chair of Leadership studies at West Point Military Academy he was in the midst of finishing the publication of his latest book ‘Great By Choice.’
Although faced with a packed schedule, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to work with the cadets. Collins (pictured above) has a passion for working with young leaders especially those committed to service and none are more committed than the cadets at West Point. He related his experience in an interview for Inc Magazine with Editor-at-large Bo Burlingham, published in 2013.
Collins came away from the experience with the sense that he had learned more from the Cadets than he taught them. He was amazed at their dedication to helping each other. West Point is a highly competitive place; not only are the cadets committed to achieving a high academic standard but they are expected to complete a demanding physical indoor obstacle course in three and one half minutes or less in order to graduate. Collins was surprised to find two cadets standing as coaches for their fellow cadets as they attempted to complete the course. They were as dedicated to each other’s success as much as they were dedicated to their own.
During the two-year appointment, Collins would visit West Point seven times. Not only was he fascinated by the commitment to success of the cadets but also to their coping with failure. As an avid rock climber he had worked closely with Tommy Caldwell, widely considered to be the greatest rock climber of all time. Caldwell attempted to free climb the Dawn Wall of el Capitan in Yosemite three times without succeeding.
When Collins asked Caldwell why he would attempt a fourth time, Caldwell replied that “success was not the primary point. I go back because the climb is making me better and stronger. I’m not failing I’m growing.” The discussion on failure with the cadets led to the same conclusion. Caldwell succeeded in completing this climb in January of 2015 on his fourth attempt.
Collins summarized his prognosis by creating a triangle, on the three sides; Success, Growth and Service, the three elements that seem to pervade the culture at West Point. The cadets have a burning desire to serve; they learn how to succeed through failure, which makes them grow.
Collins came away from the two years at West Point with a new appreciation for some aspects of leadership that he had not considered before:
– Great leadership is not needed just at the top, but at every level of the business structure.
– Great leadership can come in two forms, the right tool in the toolbox, i.e. if a Phillips screwdriver is needed and you are a Philips you may get outstanding results but if a socket is needed you may not be able to fill the need. The other type of leader grows and adapts as needed.
– Leaders need to know when to become followers and followers need to know when to become leaders.
Ultimately what is needed throughout our society is better leaders. Great leaders can solve all the problems when given the opportunity. That does not mean they may not fail. History is full of great leaders who failed and yet returned to achieve spectacular results. Some examples: George Washington, General Douglas McArthur and Winston Churchill.
Leaders may be born but most often they are made through trial and error. It requires courage to fail and start again. Not every leader has the intestinal fortitude to stay in the game regardless of win or lose until success is achieved through growth.
As the cadets taught Collins, great leaders are dedicated to service. They tend to have a servant mentality; i.e. they want to see others’ needs met and their success before their own.
– Colin J. Campbell CFP, CLU is an independent financial advisor and managing partner of Guidance Planning Strategies Ltd, in Cranbrook. Serving the Kootenays since 1995, Guidance Planning Strategies focuses on helping families and entrepreneurs create wealth and keep it for generations.
