[November 10, 2024] In the early days of my military career, I thought it important to copy the behavior and speech of those known to be the very best leaders. It came naturally, it seemed to me at the time, to find out what those leaders did when they were not “working” – for example, what they were doing on Thanksgiving Day.
Over time I got a good idea why those leaders were so respected and admired by everyone. It was a simple philosophy that each had adopted: selflessness. They were out on every holiday (and whenever they could muster up the time) to provide help to others less fortunate than they were. They were not out to get credit for what they were doing or to gain respect but to actually help. I saw them at soup kitchens serving food, at hospitals visiting the sick and injured, at food pantries helping distribute supplies, etc.
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” – Albert Schweitzer, French-German theologian, writer, philosopher, physician
One thing that never escaped my observations was that they were there to help bring cheer to those around them. I asked one who was my mentor, who said that most of those needing help were destitute and needed a little joyfulness brought into their lives. Those leaders would talk for hours about anything people wanted to hear; their goal was to help bring a little happiness. But they never mentioned the high-level job they held: humility at its best.
Of course, they should never ignore their families, so many brought them along. In particular, if the leader had younger children, they would bring them to help out just like an adult. It gave the children a chance to see and hear about those who were not so fortunate. A little dose of reality never hurt any kid or young adult. And it mattered not which holiday it happened to be.
I adopted the same philosophy and had the honor for several years to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. My daughter came along to help until she was 15. She rang the bell at times and brought in more donations than I ever did; it must have been something about a cute little girl asking for donations that made the difference.
The best leaders are those who are out to help others. They can show it anytime but times like Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity that a smart leader should never forego. That is just one more of life’s lessons that I always have in my leadership rucksack for use anytime, anyplace, or for anybody.
Happy UPCOMING Thanksgiving 2024
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🎇 VETERANS DAY 🎇
Gen. Satterfield once again gives us something important to think about as we consider how to make ourselves both better leaders and even better people. 👍👍👍👍👍
This article really hit home with me. I worked at a food distribution home with my church many years ago when I was a teenager. I worked hard – at least I thought I worked hard – and today I look back on those times with a smile on my face because I was doing something godly by helping my fellow man. At first, my dad made me go there to “Learn something.” Then I went because I wanted to go. IMHO, this is why Gen. Satterfield says that our personal goal in life is not happiness but being satisfied with ourselves. If happiness is your goal, what will you do when happiness is gone? Great article. Get ready for Thanksgiving Day.
Scotty, you’re right. Thanks for your comment.
“Humility at its best.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield
Smack, a homerun with this post. Yep, sir, you hit this idea right out of the park. I love your style and upward look at the world. If anyone wants to make a difference in the world, a difference that really matters and actually does something good for mankind, then volunteer to help at helping the poor. Not only will you learn alot about why people are poor (mostly a series of bad decisions on their part) but you will pretty good about yourself. That’s the way to a better life. You can find an entire book on this at Gen. Satterfield’s latest book, “55 Rules for a Good Life.”
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
Read the book, and learn from the master.
Liz, I have my copy and it was the best $10 bucks I ever spent.
Great quote that hits home. Sir, thank you for the uplifting words. Your website popped up in my search engine and here I am looking at Rutgers words of a true leader.
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“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” – Albert Schweitzer, French-German theologian, writer, philosopher, physician
God Bless General Satterfield and his family plus all those who have come into contact with him and befitted from his leadership. 🙏
Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for stepping up and helping those who need help.
That is why most of us come here to read his blog. Plus, we get entertained. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
🧐 Nailed it, The Kid. You and me have been faithful readers of this website now for many years and we are part of a small group who have also gained the most. There is a great deal we can all learn from the positive outlook that Gen. satterfield allows us to develop and encourages us to develop. Plus, his two books, which really dives deep into how to make yourself a better person. I’m hooked on this way of thinking. 🧐
Let’s not miss the message in this blog post. Helping others enthusiastically is the basis of great leadership. Encouraging others to look up, set higher goals for themselves, and showing others how to make good decisions is the epitome of great leaders. Looking down and whining about the world is a losing philosophy of life.
Most folks are out buying a turkey and side dishes for their family. But not Gen. Satterfield, he’s out buying turkey for hundreds of folk who are down on their luck and have come to a soup kitchen or food distribution center for something to eat. Gen. Satterfield is not hanging out with his friends drinking beer and watching football on the television but actually standing behind a table with rows of food, dishing out a hit meal to the indigent. That’s what good leaders do. They are helping others with their own time and money, not relying on the government for anything.
Exactly Doc Jeff. This is the core difference between a liberal like Kamala Harris and a conservative like Donald Trump. Gen. Satterfield is clearly a conservative, although he never says it, it is clear from hoe he approaches the world. 😇
Thanks Doc for saying it like it is.