Leadership: When the Going Gets Tough
In a previous blog I mentioned that I was just beginning to read David McCullough's best selling book, "1776" which has made me look at George Washington in a new light.
Now that I have finished reading this book, I am truly appreciative of what Washington did for my country as a man and as a leader of a fledgling new country.
If we needed someone in charge that followed the rules we'd still be colonies of England. What did Washington do that showed his leadership abilities?
First, Washington kept his head, by that I mean he did not let the New Englanders know how much he disliked them, which came in handy at the end of 1776. Second, he kept his health when his solders and officers were dying of influenza, he survived. Third, he kept his strength as he kept crazy hours and had the fate of the new country on his shoulders.
When things got very tough what did Washington do? Here's just one example; At the end of 1776 the majority of the soldiers, who happened to be New Englanders, could leave and go home..that still amazes me. Which meant that for all intensive purposes the war would be over and England would have kept her colonies.
What would you do if that was you? What do we as leaders do today when the going gets tough? When you have people who are brunt out, maybe haven't taken their vacations, or haven't carved out work/life balance so they are fully ready to participate in the next project?
Here's what Washington did. He took it upon himself to offer a ten dollar bounty to any soldier who would stay another six months. That was a lot of money at that time. He did not wait for Congress to act..there was no time left.
Washington also gave a speech to the soldiers asking them to stay. When the drums rolled, no one stepped forward. He then spoke a second time:
What do you think happened? The drums rolled again, no one stepped forward. Washington waited with great patience. Then suddenly men started to move forward surprising everyone I'm sure, but Washington.
When I read this speech again I see a clearly stated vision, emotional benefits to the soldiers, acknowledgement of where they have come from and what they have endured. And then pointing them forward to an opportunity that is once in a lifetime.
How do you engage your workforce? Do you have a vision that drives your decisions? Do you engage your people by emotional, rational and political statements? If not, craft a vision and share it with your folks. The next time you have to round up "the troops" to make that extra effort or to make an unpopular change try using the pattern that Washington did. The results may surprise you.
Let me know how you fare.
Barb...Leadership Lady
Now that I have finished reading this book, I am truly appreciative of what Washington did for my country as a man and as a leader of a fledgling new country.
If we needed someone in charge that followed the rules we'd still be colonies of England. What did Washington do that showed his leadership abilities?
First, Washington kept his head, by that I mean he did not let the New Englanders know how much he disliked them, which came in handy at the end of 1776. Second, he kept his health when his solders and officers were dying of influenza, he survived. Third, he kept his strength as he kept crazy hours and had the fate of the new country on his shoulders.
When things got very tough what did Washington do? Here's just one example; At the end of 1776 the majority of the soldiers, who happened to be New Englanders, could leave and go home..that still amazes me. Which meant that for all intensive purposes the war would be over and England would have kept her colonies.
What would you do if that was you? What do we as leaders do today when the going gets tough? When you have people who are brunt out, maybe haven't taken their vacations, or haven't carved out work/life balance so they are fully ready to participate in the next project?
Here's what Washington did. He took it upon himself to offer a ten dollar bounty to any soldier who would stay another six months. That was a lot of money at that time. He did not wait for Congress to act..there was no time left.
Washington also gave a speech to the soldiers asking them to stay. When the drums rolled, no one stepped forward. He then spoke a second time:
"My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do and more than could be reasonably expected, but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses, and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and hardships, but we know not how to spare you. If you will consent to stay one month longer, you will render that service to the course of liberty, and to your country, which you can probably never do under any other circumstances."
What do you think happened? The drums rolled again, no one stepped forward. Washington waited with great patience. Then suddenly men started to move forward surprising everyone I'm sure, but Washington.
When I read this speech again I see a clearly stated vision, emotional benefits to the soldiers, acknowledgement of where they have come from and what they have endured. And then pointing them forward to an opportunity that is once in a lifetime.
How do you engage your workforce? Do you have a vision that drives your decisions? Do you engage your people by emotional, rational and political statements? If not, craft a vision and share it with your folks. The next time you have to round up "the troops" to make that extra effort or to make an unpopular change try using the pattern that Washington did. The results may surprise you.
Let me know how you fare.
Barb...Leadership Lady
posted by Barb at
1:10 PM
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