Leaders Need to do More than Talk.

So, I read this article yesterday, and it made me think - there are many, many artilcles, blogs posts and even books that all provide a list of things leaders should say - be it every day or every week.  Indeed, I ran a Google search on "things leaders say," and I got over 197 MILLION hits.  That's a lot of talking. 

Now, I think most of these articles are awesome and provide great advice - there are lots of good leadership lessons in them. 

However, reading through these articles, they focus more on the speaking than on the doing.  We have all heard the phrase "If you are going to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk."  As a leader, talking the talk will work for a few weeks - by then, if you are not walking the walk, your fancy leadership talk falls on deaf ears. 

 This is why I think  instead of focusing on "what leaders should say," we should focus on what leaders should do.  First, actions speak a lot louder than words; and second, if you do the right thing, you will naturally say the right thing as well. 

Again, the ideas in the article linked above and the dozens of other similar articles out there are great ideas.  However, many of the suggestions will come naturally to a leader who embodies the Leadership Traits. 

Many of these articles suggest that a leader should share the credit and support his people - in other words, a leader should be unselfish and loyal. 

If you are an unselfish and loyal leader, you will say "Thank You;" you will ask you people for their opinions, you will share credit with your people.  It will all come naturally - IF you have the correct attitude and embrace the proper leadership characteristics. 

My advice to you is not to worry about what to say - worry about how to be.  Be unselfish, be loyal, be supportive, be a LEADER, and you will say the right things. 

Can you walk the walk? 



 

Leadership Done Right

           A few weeks ago, I was asked to speak on behalf of a Marine at his retirement ceremony.  This Marine worked for me for a little over two years when I was a Battalion Executive Officer.  This invitation was quite an honor, and one I quickly accepted.  (It also means that I am getting old, but we will ignore that part.)

           Yesterday, I met with the Marine who recently retired to catch up over a couple of beers.  He wanted to give me a small gift for speaking on his behalf at the retirement - I protested that this was not necessary, but he insisted.  (The "small gift" turned out to be a box of nice Monte Cristo cigars and a fancy Black Ops lighter - so nice that my wife said - "shouldn't you have gotten him something for retiring?"  Thank you, Dave Howell!)  

           The thank you gift is what relates to leadership.  With the gift, Dave gave me a card with a terrific handwritten note in it.  He thanked me for speaking at his retirement, for helping mentor and support him when we worked together and, here is the kicker, he said that two plus years we worked together were the highlight of his 24 years Marine Corps career.  As a leader, that comment beats a box of great cigars any day.

After the jump, we will look into the things that he said made this time period so memorable.