Lead from the Front

Formation Before Authority

As you already know, leadership is a focus of mine. I am always looking for the virtues in good leaders, the vices that bring down bad leaders, and the pitfalls we all run into.

Leadership is something we must prepare for. No leader is born fully formed. They may have tendencies that make them capable, but those still have to be fostered into skill and discipline.

We see this play out with Richard Winters in his memoir Beyond Band of Brothers. Major Winters began as a second lieutenant in Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. His rise to Major is well documented in the miniseries Band of Brothers. I would highly suggest watching at least a few clips to see what kind of man he was.

For our purposes today, I want to focus on one of his ten principles for success.

The Temptation of Image

Before we look at that principle, we must start with the image of a bad leader.

Sometimes bad leadership develops slowly. Other times it is there from the beginning. Either way, there is a common temptation: self-obsession.

A leader begins worrying about appearance and asking, “What do people think of me?” Not as a way to grow, but as a way to maintain image and power.

Every accomplishment begins to serve him. Credit becomes something to guard. If this desire continues unchecked, he may begin crossing lines he once thought he never would. He schemes to protect his position because, deep down, he knows something is rotten.

Everything becomes about the image.

These are the leaders we avoid as followers — and the kind we fear becoming ourselves.

The Antidote: Humility

The antidote is found in Winters’ seventh principle:

Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Never let power or authority go to your head.

We must define our role clearly as leaders. As tempting as it is, our role is not to receive praise or recognition. Power and authority are not granted for personal benefit. They are entrusted to us so that we may serve those we lead.

In war, Major Winters had missions to complete and men to keep alive.

During the Battle of the Bulge, he stayed close to the front lines. In freezing temperatures, he shaved daily. Why? He writes that it was “to get the men’s attention and to let them know that I was going to be around for a while and that this wasn’t as bad as they thought it was going to be.”

Nothing he did was to point to himself. It was to strengthen morale and support his men.

That is leadership.

A Crown Meant to Be Passed On

Leadership is a heavy responsibility. We are entrusted with people who look to us for guidance and support. It is rewarding, yes — but it is also temporary.

The crown we wear today will one day be handed to someone else.

We must never forget to remain humble. Never let power or authority go to our heads.

Weekly Practice

This week, take time to reflect on your leadership.

• Has pride crept in?
• Do you worry more about your image than those you serve?
• How can you serve those you lead in one small, concrete way today?

Remain humble. That is leadership.

Forge Ahead

Anvil: the place of formation.
Arrow: the mission we’re sent on.

The world needs more men formed in virtue. Forward this to a brother who’s ready to grow.

Want more? Subscribe to Anvil & Arrow and join a community of men committed to forging strength, virtue, and legacy.