As I recently sat down for lunch with two fellow veterans, it hit me: it’s been nearly 35 years since I first stepped onto that plane bound for Fort Dix, NJ, to begin Army Basic Training. That was my first real experience with leadership training, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of learning both as a follower and a leader. Now, I’d like to share some key leadership insights I’ve gathered from those experiences.
1. Leaders Can Be Managers, But Managers Aren’t Always Leaders
Just because someone holds a position of authority doesn’t mean they’re a leader. Leadership is about much more than just managing people. A leader cares deeply about both the people and the outcome, whereas a manager may only focus on the end result. Similar to how a business’s value isn’t just about numbers (as mentioned in CLEAN),
true leadership is about adding value to both your team and the organization as a whole.
2. The Best Leaders Are Servants First
In business, as in leadership, success often comes from empowering those around you. Servant leadership mirrors the approach in CLEAN, where a business should provide resources to improve profitability and overall success. Similarly, a leader ensures their team has the tools, resources, and training needed to excel.
3. Responsibility Cannot Be Delegated
As a young lieutenant, I once tried to explain to my superior why my soldiers had no lunch. I blamed my Platoon Sergeant for forgetting to order MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). My boss quickly reminded me that responsibility rests solely on the leader, no matter who made the mistake. This principle also applies to business, as outlined in CLEAN: the responsibility for a business’s outcomes, just like leadership, cannot be delegated—it rests with the leader.
4. Leaders Are Always Being Watched
Just like in business, where every action influences perception, leaders are constantly being observed by their teams. Whether you’re the CEO or a frontline manager, you’re accountable for maintaining integrity, much like CLEAN highlights how business practices and operational transparency affect value.
5. Great Leaders Are Self-Aware
One of the greatest military leaders in history, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was known for his self-awareness. Despite his enormous success, Eisenhower was hard on himself and constantly reflecting on his decisions. This mirrors how a business must consistently self-assess its strategies and growth potential, as discussed in CLEAN. Self-awareness
is critical in both leadership and business development, helping leaders grow, remain humble, and continually improve. For those interested, I highly recommend Eisenhower: Soldier and President by Stephen Ambrose (Ambrose, 1990).
6. Leaders Never Stop Learning
Just as businesses must constantly evolve and innovate to remain competitive (as emphasized in CLEAN), leaders too must engage in lifelong learning. Whether it’s staying informed about industry trends or enhancing leadership skills, the best leaders continue to learn and adapt to ensure both personal and organizational growth.
7. Leaders Measure Success by Their Team’s Achievements
Just like CLEAN highlights the importance of understanding value through metrics like profitability and team performance, true leaders measure success by their team’s achievements, not just their own. Leaders strive to elevate those around them, creating a ripple effect that benefits the entire organization.
Conclusion
Leadership is a journey, and I’m still walking that path. I may never reach a point where I feel I’ve “arrived,” but that’s part of the beauty of leadership—it’s an ongoing process of growth and learning. Sadly, many people who need to hear this message won’t, but for those who aspire to be great leaders, the key lies in continual self-improvement and service to others.
FAQs
- What makes a good leader?
A good leader puts their team first, takes responsibility for their actions, and is always looking for ways to grow. Similar to running a successful business, leadership is about constant learning, accountability, and adding value to the team.
- What is the difference between a leader and a manager?
A manager may focus on processes and outcomes, while a leader inspires and empowers their team to achieve great results. Leadership, much like increasing business value, is about focusing on the long-term success of both the team and the organization.
- How can I become a better leader?
To become a better leader, you need to continually develop your skills, reflect on your experiences, and take full responsibility for your actions—just like how CLEAN advises businesses to reflect on profitability and value strategies.
- Why is self-awareness important in leadership?
Self-awareness allows leaders to recognize their strengths and areas for improvement. In business, self-awareness helps identify new opportunities for growth, as described in CLEAN. In leadership, it helps build better teams and stronger results.
- What is servant leadership?
Servant leadership is the philosophy of focusing on the needs of the team before your own. Just as in CLEAN, where businesses are encouraged to focus on customer needs, servant leadership emphasizes empowering and enabling team members to perform at their best.