[March 7, 2019] Respected leaders are those who are seen as fair and willing to share the hardships of others. Eat with your teammates is good, practical advice for all leaders who want to be judged as authentic, respected leaders.
We’ve all seen it happen. A retail company undergoes downsizing, or a family experiences a death, or a neighborhood is damaged by some natural disaster. When the going gets tough, people must rely on others to achieve something important. When there is a strong social connection, this becomes easy.
During World War II, U.S. Army General Omar Bradley was said to be “The Soldier’s General.”1 He was modest, industrious, above reproach, and a skilled tactician. The bond General Bradley had with “his” men was well-known and, according to his autobiography, was the main reason for his achievements as a military officer.
If a group or team is under stress and there is a weak bond, there are risks of failure that tend to creep into the team’s capabilities. Like the old saying about Mr. Murphy; “If anything can go wrong, it will.” There is a Murphy’s Law corollary that says that this will also happen at the most inopportune time.
Senior leaders are subject these rules as any person. You don’t often need to go far to see them put this good habit into their schedule. They not eat with all their teammates, but they do those things that bring themselves into frequent contact with them. What this means is to share their hardships, their defeats, and their victories as well.2
Being a great leader means eating with your teammates.
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I like this series just as other readers have noted. What I like is that they are simple in concept and easy to implement. But first you have to acknowledge that what you do daily can change for the better.
I have found this series to be an excellent pallet on which to paint a picture of harmony and kindness to my High School students. Occasionally, I bring several of these up for discussion. Two or three of my team’s players have been quick to accept and adopt them. Sort of like an experiment to see if it really works or not. The feedback that I get is that there is nearly an immediate payoff on these good habits. Now the players are trying to outdo each other. I see a qualitative improvement in these young boys. Great news. Keep up with your list of “good habits.” It works!
This is the sort of story that I have found elsewhere and I do appreciate you laying it out for all to see. Thanks Mr. TJ Asper.
Love your story, Mr. Asper. Thank you!
Hi Gen. Satterfield, I’m a long-time reader of your blog. So, here goes … a recommendation for your next Good Habits is to add “Start off with a Positive Greeting.” That way, using this good habit, you will make a good first impression that will last.
I think this might be one of the reasons the military requires the saluting of officers. Respect flows from it.
Good recommendation. I see where that would be on Gen Satterfield’s list of good habits. Cheers!
Wow, another good habit for my leader rucksack. If we keep this up, we’ll have a pack full. Thanks Gen. Satterfield for continuing to generate this mini-series.
Excellent choice of habits for your series.
Your series on Good Habits is one that I share with my friends each time you publish it. I have a list on my refrigerator and read them occasionally just to remind myself of what being “good” is about.
I keep my list by my computer. Didn’t think anyone else was doing lists anymore. Haha
Good one, Georgie M.
🙂
Thanks, Georgie.