The secret to becoming a great leader

  • Published
  • By Col Robert Miller
  • 48th Medical Group commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  I recently read an inspirational book by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller entitled "The Secret - What Great Leaders Know - And Do." The title certainly caught my eye as the answer to this question is something leaders in all walks of life are continually striving to figure out.

Are great leaders born with god-given talents or is this something that can be taught?

Although much research has gone into this topic resulting in some differing opinions, the following is my answer to this question and was consistent with the theme of the book mentioned above. To be honest, this is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Before I share this secret, I think it important to point out that leaders who can benefit from this knowledge include all ranks, jobs, and walks of life....making this "secret" all the more valuable.

The secret to becoming a great leader is servant leadership, and all great leaders serve. The primary mission of a servant leader is taking care of those they have the privilege to lead...service before self. There have been many famous servant leaders throughout history. The good news is pointed out in a quote from one of those role models, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve."

The key question each of us must ask ourselves is "Am I a serving leader or a self-serving leader?" The answer is frequently obvious based on our actions on any given day. We demonstrate our priorities with the way we allocate our resources - and that includes our time.

So what are some of the keys to success on how best to use your time as a servant leader?

I like the way Blanchard & Miller spelled this out in their book using the five letters in the word serve, which I have embellished with my own thoughts.
 
See the future -- As leaders, we must establish the vision for those we lead and help guide them down this path. My personal goal for the 48th Medical Group is to be known for our "servant spirit" and that each Liberty Medic is constantly working to improve themselves, each other and the entire organization. 

Engage and develop others -- One of the key challenges for any leader is getting the right people in the right jobs, and then building on their strengths. Training and mentoring takes time, but is an important investment that cannot be short changed. 

Reinvest continuously -- I strongly believe that regardless of your age or where you are at in your career, if you stop learning, you stop leading. It is equally important to empower those selected to lead at all levels, and then be quick to recognize those who make it happen. Simply put, catch them being good. 

Value results and relationships --There are two tests to determine if a leader is successful. First, do they get results? Second, do they have followers? If the only affirmative answer is to the first question, then one must ask if the person is truly leading. Leaders without followers are frequently nothing more than micro-managers. Staff will follow if they know your motivation is sincere and based on the core values. 

Embody the values -- Lead by example and live the Air Force core values: Integrity, Excellence, and especially Service before Self. As highlighted in Blanchard's and Miller's book, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

Being a true Servant Leader requires effort and in many ways is against human nature in a culture where many are only looking out for number one. Those that figure out that one way to be first starts with putting yourself last understand that leadership should not be based on the power of a position. The key is having a servant heart. I would also argue that the rewards of becoming a serving leader are far greater than being a self-serving one. This valuable lesson has taken me years to understand, and I certainly don't have it all figured out. But I do know where I want to be and work towards this goal on a daily basis.

Finally, the true test of great leadership is how your organization performs when you are not around. This applies to all ranks and occupations. So once again, consider how you would answer the question "Am I a serving leader or a self-serving leader?" If you don't like your response, it is never too late to try a different leadership approach, and greatness may be the end result.