The Blind Man Society

This one, was fun to write this morning at the shop.

When I was a kid, somebody told me once that I had a gift with people, and was a “spirited young man.”  So, spirited in fact, that I wound up being pulled out of public school and sent to military academy for a couple years.

As a Platoon Sergeant, Alpha Company I learned a lot about creative leadership, management and problem solving.  One of my favorite moments was during cadre – a period where multiple positions were “tried on” to find the best fit.  We were shown the movie “Patton” as part of our leadership training during this, and had to do a careful analysis of one of America’s best generals…General Patton.

Patton’s rise to power and accomplishment is legend. But, Patton’s downfall is even more famous. Despite being one of the greatest stars on the rise that ever was, he physically slapped a soldier who was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and insulted him.  While he was still a top leader after, he got passed over for things from that point forward.  We learned that no matter HOW angry you get, you never abuse your people. 

Additionally, we learned the key to Patton, who was known as the poet warrior, was this man.  There was a British General nick-named Monty who was part of the allied coalition and something of a glory hog – and he drove Patton NUTS.  Patton could not do anything to this man, whenever he made him so angry because he was on the same team, and apparently he spent so much time fuming over him and his accomplishments that he was not nearly as effective in his work.

Out of this movie emerged Dwight D. Eisenhower as well.  General Eisenhower was the Allied forces coalition leader and he was where I first learned about coalition building, and management with extraordinarily potent and difficult personalities.  He had to handle Patton and Monty, and many others during the efforts in those days, in addition to resolving MANY problems for the war effort period and attaining the resolution that benefited all.

My point in all this, is that as a 17 year old in charge of 35 people in my platoon it was invaluable to learn these individuals and their ways in the arena set before me.  I modeled myself after Eisenhower and Patton and went on to receive THE medal at the end of the year for being the best Platoon Sergeant in the academy.  There is something to the idea of studying successful leaders of the past, and their stories, and picking and choosing what works best for you…while you incorporate aspects of their styles into your own arsenal and grow your own unique way.

A final thought on this…

One of my favorite laws of power, and one that I used to flagrantly disregard all the time on the way up, is never outshine the master.  Or, your boss in the work place.  This one still makes me chuckle because it was one HELL of a lot of fun to do so…  But eventually, I grew up in my approaches.  My line back then, was that I always remembered the movie A Beautiful Mind –  when the mathematician John Nash had his great idea and did what was best for himself, and the team.  And, everybody won…he went on to win the Nobel Prize for this idea and the work that followed.  That’s why I can laugh at myself back then – now – because it IS possible to be a rock star, AND help your team succeed to the top.  And, for the interpretive reader who may be present, it kind of reminds me of a pride of lions on Serengeti…

Have a GREAT Friday everyone.  TGIF!