I just picked up a terrific book on leadership.
“Robert E. Lee on Leadership” by H.W. Crocker III
I’ve lived in Texas for 30 years and didn’t know anything about Robert E. Lee. He’s revered in the South and now I’m starting to see why. These are just a few nuggets from the first chapter. You’ll have to get the book (only 231 pages long which is nothing for a book about Lee) if you want to get the rest.
- Lee was a realist. He knew life was tough and you had to be tougher.
- As a realist, he had a clear view of the world and he knew what he wanted to accomplish (indispensable in a leader).
- As a realist, he knew it takes many failures to get to a success so he was never crushed by setbacks. He didn’t waste time whining about failures or blaming others.
- He believed that you need to do the best you can with the hand you are dealt. Always take advantage of opportunities.
- You have to need to lead yourself before you can lead others.
- The mother of a baby asked him what would be the best advice to give her son. Lee told her, “Teach him he must deny himself.” In other words, delay immediate gratification as you pursue long term goals.
- You must have people’s respect if you will be their leader. Vices do not lead to respect. That is why character is so important.
- The great duty in life is to deny yourself as you work for the happiness of others. The business equivalent is to focus on your employees and your customers and business will take care of itself.
- Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Don’t do it in expectation of reward. The reward is the satisfaction that comes from doing the right thing.
In 1860, most people in the North worked in factories. They were “company people.” The Southerners were farmers - independent businessmen who were rugged individualists. When South Carolina secceded in December 1960 (because of tarrifs that hurt its free trade), followed by Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida and Texas three months later, President Lincoln ordered Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas to provide troops to suppress the rebellious states of the deep South.
Lee was offered command of the new army being formed to take action against the South. He was being offered America’s highest command with all the prestige and reward that came with it. Lee declined because even though he believed in the Union, and even though he had a feeling of loyalty and duty as an American citizen, he would not raise his hand against his relatives, his children and his home.
He said, “I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people. Virginia is my country. Her I will obey, however lamentable the fate to which it may subject me.”
- Lee believed that it is better to suffer evil than to commit it.
- He believed that by following his conscience, by doing what he though was right, he guaranteed himself the serene self-confidence that is necessary in a leader.
- By doing what is right, even the worst outcomes will somehow will turn out right.
- Look after your people, do what is right, fulfill your duty to the best of your abilities, and leave the results to God.
That’s just chapter one!
Olympic Motivational Speaker Ruben Gonzalez
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