In a recent conversation among retired US Air Force officers, the topic of leadership came up. And, of course, discussing leadership in the abstract isn’t nearly so compelling as describing the traits and behaviors of leaders we have observed first-hand. The Great Leaders are those we seek to emulate; the Small Leaders offer examples of “what not to do”! With that in mind, we’d like to highlight two we have known.
A Great Leader: David J. “Marshall” McCloud (1945-1998), who embodied the notion of a “charismatic” and “visionary” leader. McCloud was an Air Force pilot who rose to the rank of Lieutenant General, then lost his life 20-plus years ago in the crash of an aerobatic plane. Nearly 15 years earlier, we had crossed paths at Tonopah Test Range NV, where virtually all who knew him quickly recognized he was destined to achieve exceptional success. He was congenial, thoughtful and a quick study. He exuded confidence that never came across as arrogance, with a natural ability to inspire those around him – making every person he encountered feel important and respected. In 1992, we crossed paths again. Now a Colonel and Wing Commander, he possessed the same vision, charisma, confidence and pleasant disposition he had exuded a decade earlier. That consistency of character is foundational to great leadership. Marshall left this earth far too soon.
A Small Leader: We won’t identify this person by name, but some will immediately recognize who it is…
An organization’s operating tempo had been exceptionally high for several months. When a subordinate executive suggested to this senior exec that a few handshakes and shared words of encouragement might reinvigorate the team, his response was: “Absence of criticism is praise enough.” Those six words strike us as perhaps the most foolish statement by any “leader” ever, short of the pointy-haired boss in a Dilbert cartoon. Months later, this same “leader” faced repercussions of his attitude and behavior toward those in his charge. Rounding up all the middle managers in an after-hours meeting, he explained that he had no intention of keeping certain promises of incentives offered to them before his arrival. His closing statement: “You may all think I’m making a mistake. But frankly, I think [my current rank] is a pretty good place to stagnate.” Indeed, he was promoted one more time; but soon after, he was fired for cause. Too little too late, perhaps.
Have insights or a story to share about a leader – “Great” or “Small”? We’d love to hear from you!