By: Thom Little, Ph.D.
In late April, SLLF held its Spring Leadership Summit in Gettysburg, PA, focusing on lessons from the battlefield and the Gettysburg address. On Saturday morning, April 26, we were privileged to hear from Col. Douglas G. Douds, a retired Marine and current faculty member of the US Army War College. Col. Douds enthralled and inspired the program participants with numerous leadership lessons from the battlefield and the words of President Lincoln. In this blog, I will discuss a few of them, leaving the rest for next month.
Deeds Matter More than Words. It is often said, and unquestionably true if as a parent your kids have caught you doing something you tell them not to do, that deeds speak louder than words. Soldiers, like legislators, are unlikely to follow someone who talks the talk, but does not walk the walk. Leaders must live out the principles they preach if they expect to be followed. Leaders on the fields of Gettysburg risked (and many lost) their lives along with the rank-and-file soldiers. In like manner, legislative leaders must be willing to take the same political risks they ask their members to take.
Service Matters. In a world where trust in institutions is low, it is easy to forget that public service matters. However, it does matter- it matters to those you serve and it matters to those who look up to you and respect you for your service. It is a reminder to all (including yourself) that you are committed to a cause greater than yourself. Also, remember that as a public servant, you are setting an example for those who will come after you so you must set and achieve a high standard of behavior whether on the battlefield or in the legislature.
Leaders are Innovators. Effective leaders are the ones who, when situations demand it, think and act outside the box. New challenges require new solutions. According to Col. Douds, innovative solutions require three things: people, products and processes: people to create and carry out the innovation, a product that is innovative and a process to implement the innovation. For example, one of the many innovations to come out of the Civil War was a new form of warfare involving sharpshooters (people), carbine rifles (product) and new battle formations (process).
Leaders Fix the Mistakes, Don’t Cast Blame. When you are a leader, whether it is a general or legislative leader, it is inevitable that people in your organization are going to make mistakes. Troops will be moved that should have held their ground or inaccurate or inappropriate statements will be made to the media, for example. While it might be tempting for the leader to leave their subordinate to fend for themselves, an effective leader works with the subordinate to fix the problem. In the words of General Meade, “General Sickles got us into this mess, it is up to me to get us out of it.”
Leaders Bear the Burden of Leadership. When accepting a position of leadership whether granted by the voters, other legislators or those in charge of an army, leaders accept the burdens of leadership. While legislative leaders may not be responsible for lives like a military lead on the battlefield, they are responsible for the livelihoods of the people they represent and govern. Effective leaders must do everything legally and morally within your power to value the lives (as a military leader) and protect the livelihoods (legislative leaders) of those you lead and represent.
Leaders are Lifelong Learners. Leadership is difficult and leaders must constantly be equipping themselves to face the problems of tomorrow as well as the problems of today. Leadership challenges change so effective leaders must change. Effective leaders adapt to new situations and demands. To do that, effective leaders must be lifetime learners, constantly reading, learning about other leaders and learning lessons from other leaders and leadership experts. They can never stand still. Leaders at Gettysburg had to constantly adjust to changing situations and challenges, adjusting their strategies to meet the moment which requires advanced thought and preparation.
Leaders Must Be Preparing Themselves for the Inevitable Crises. For those who serve in leadership for an extended period, it is not if a crisis will occur under his or her watch, but when. Crises are inevitable. In order to prepare for that inevitable challenge, effective leaders prepare themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Physically, leaders must take care of themselves, eating right, resting enough and staying fit. Mentally, effective leaders prepare their minds by reading, studying and staying sharp. Finally true leadership also includes a spiritual element which motivates leaders and provides a reserve they can call on when they feel too physically tired or mentally drained to take another step. According to Col. Douds, “I don’t know what spiritual journey you are on, but you had better be on one.”
Leaders Inspire Faith. People don’t follow leaders because they believe in their plans or their objectives. People follow true leaders because they believe in them. If people are following a leader simply because they like the direction they are being led, they will not follow when the situation requires a change in direction or objectives. Effective leaders live and lead with such integrity and values that people want to follow them and trust them to lead. General Winfield Scott’s men stood firm against Lee’s charging Army of Northern Virginia on the final day at Gettysburg because he had proven himself on the first two days of the battle.
As you can tell, Col. Douds had a lot to say and the Battle of Gettysburg had a lot to teach us about leadership– and this is only the beginning. Look for more lessons next month and maybe even the month after that!
