Leadership And Memorial Day
As we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, it is important to acknowledge the sacrifices men and women have made over the years to safeguard our freedom. Whether you are young or old, liberal or conservative, live in rural or urban areas or work alone or as part of a team, I hope you appreciate this particular holiday and can take a moment to pause and appreciate the efforts of service members throughout the world who help us feel secure.
During the past several years, many military leaders have authored books about leadership. These leaders include Stanley McCrystal, William McRaven, James Mattis and Colin Powell. I know my son Jared is partial to books written by Jocko Willink, a former Navy SEAL.
As we make time to give thanks for people who serve and have served, let’s think about the leadership lessons we can glean from military officials past and present:
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – -President Harry Truman
“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” – General George S. Patton
“The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible.” – -General Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The truth of the matter is you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” – General Norman Schwartzkopf
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – President John F. Kennedy
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure…The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow.” – General Colin Powell
“Clarity and simplicity are the antidotes to complexity and uncertainty.” – General George Casey
“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” – President Theodore Roosevelt
“Leadership is a gift. It’s given by those who follow. You have to be worthy of it.” – General Mark Welsh
“Strange as it may sound, great leaders gain authority by giving it away.” – General James B. Stockdale
Take a moment to reflect on these leadership lessons from our military leaders. Memorial Day is a holiday that represents the beginning of the summer and the start of many vacations. After the year we have all experienced, many of us are more eager than ever to get out and enjoy friends, relatives and new venues. Let us also remember to honor those who have made our freedom to travel and celebrate possible!