Leading Or Herding?

We must become the change we wish to see in the world. Ghandi

What’s required to change the world?

Let’s think big, beyond small-time issues like economy and war. What do you think it would take to really change the world?

Visionary leader Gus Lee believes significant, lasting change occurs only through courageous leadership based on character.

I’m currently participating in a year-long program designed to foster courageous leadership. It’s a wonderful opportunity to study and apply the principles from Gus’ book Courage: The Backbone Of Leadership. I’m inspired to re-evaluate my own values and priorities.

Gus doesn’t advance simplistic, pie-in-the-sky platitudes. He’s a pragmatic, no-nonsense former prosecutor and airborne military officer. When you jump out of airplanes into harm’s way, you learn something about courage.

As Chair of Ethics and Character at West Point, Gus trains leaders to face critical, life-and-death choices. He’s also a committed follower of Jesus. Although he doesn’t phrase his ideas in church language, everything he advocates rests on Jesus’ teachings.

He supports his position with significant objective data. Multiple long-term studies demonstrate that all types of organizations guided by character and principle out-perform competitors in every important metric. The information’s been there for nearly two decades in best-sellers like Built To Last and Good To Great. The data is unequivocal, the conclusions are clear.

AND THE RESULT?

On any meaningful scale, it’s been ignored. Nothing has changed.

In fact, as we understand the greed and fraud that underwrote the recent global financial meltdown, one might argue that we’ve regressed even further. Highly intelligent, powerful people pursue disastrous policies in the face of overwhelming evidence that there’s a better, more productive, way.

Why?

I’m sure the reasons are varied and complex, but I believe much of this failure traces to a single, simple principle.

THEY

I call it THE “THEY” PRINCIPLE: WE are the good guys; THEY are the bad guys.

WE aren’t perfect, of course, but WE have the right motives, believe the right things, and have the right answers. If THEY would listen to us, WE could help them improve their character and halt their destructive behavior.

The REAL problem is THEY.

THE MESSAGE

Work through this with me. Choose a focus—economics, religion, politics, business, family—and see if you don’t agree with the following statements:

The culture is somewhat adrift.
We’ve sacrificed eternal principles to chase fleeting, short-term results.
Long-term principles yield greater success than a focus on immediate results.
The significant problems we face are moral problems.
Principle-centered leadership is the only way to solve moral problems.
Wisdom and discernment are more important than knowledge and information in determining what’s right.
Wisdom and discernment require character.
Character can be developed over time.
Significant courage is required to do the right thing in the face of opposition and fear.

10. Courage can be learned. It’s a skill.

Do you agree?

So last week Gus taught the principles and skills required for courageous communication. He emphasized that everything was based on demonstrating unconditional positive respect for others.

We observed, studied examples, and practiced. And the very first question from the crowd was: What if the other person doesn’t respond like I want? Further discussion among participants revealed THE “THEY” PRINCIPLE at work.

What’s the point of leading if THEY don’t follow and change? Another item was added—implicitly—to the list.

11. We need to help others to perceive their deficiencies and begin doing the right things.

OOPS

Do you see the not-so-subtle shift? Gus talked about developing our own personal leadership based on character and courage. He emphasized that it’s a journey of personal growth and change founded on respect for others.

Suddenly we’re focused on what THEY are doing wrong. If only THEY would think a little differently, behave a little better, or pay a little more attention to us, life would be good.

THE “THEY” PRINCIPLE degrades courageous leadership into a cheap imitation, a manipulative management trick designed to herd rather than lead.

Sadly, I frequently catch myself in the grip of THE “THEY” PRINCIPLE. Instead of becoming the change I wish to see in the world, I lament that THEY won’t listen.

I lead from the front by inspiring and trusting others to follow. Leadership requires courage, creativity, commitment, and respect.

I herd from the rear by nipping at their heels and coercing others onto my pre-determined “right” path. Herding involves manipulation and force.

And it changes nothing.