"My father told me that for a leader, the true measure of success is found in the eyes of your direct reports, the embrace of your spouse, and the hearts of your children. I believe him… when was the last time you looked into the eyes of those who work for you in order to measure yourself as a leader? When you look into [their] eyes you cannot escape your real worth as a leader." –Lieutenant Colonel Eric G. Kail (Leadership Lessons from West Point, edited by Major Doug Crandall, pg. 3)
How do you measure yourself as a leader? When you look into the eyes of those who follow you what do you see? What do you want to see? When your spouse embraces you what do you feel? What do you want to feel? How about the hearts of your children towards you?
I appreciate the Lieutenant Colonel passing on this lesson from his father. It is a challenge to any of us who lead to think about our success in another way–maybe in the only way that really matters. It is so easy to get caught up in the power, control, and prestige… and from far a way you may look like glistening gold… but what do those closest to you see?
I want to see in the eyes of those who report to me… trust not fear.
I want to feel in the embrace of my wife… love not obligation.
I want the hearts of my children towards me to be… open not closed.
You know what this means right? Your leadership is not about you… your leadership is a gift to be used in service to others.
. . .
"Jesus said to them: 'Kings like to throw their weight around and people
in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It's not going to be
that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let
the leader act the part of the servant. Who
would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves
the dinner? You'd rather eat and be served, right? But I've taken my
place among you as the one who serves.'" –Luke 22:25-27
