[March 2, 2016] The other day I was having a lively dinner conversation with some of my best Army buddies (nearly everyone a retired Sergeant Major). If I were to list any word that comes to mind when addressing a Sergeant Major, it would be “respect” because they certainly deserve it. The reason? Every one I’ve ever known had the audacious ability to encourage and inspire others.
Why do we respect those who hold the military rank of Sergeant Major? It’s not because it’s the highest enlisted rank (which it is) or because one of their main functions is to advise senior commanders (which they do) but because they practice a philosophy that leadership means to encourage and inspire. They are the embodiment of this well-known military necessity.
When leaders encourage and inspire others they are setting the conditions that allows a unit to achieve the pinnacle of morale; and as we know from ageless rules of warfare that morale is everything. In an earlier post on morale I told the story of a Vietnam veteran sergeant who said “the secret to kicking the enemy’s butt is esprit de corps in the ranks.” That sergeant later would reach the rank of Sergeant Major and work directly advising a 3-Star U.S. General.
Baseball is also like the U.S. military (well, just a few times I will admit). Respect is a key to their success on the ball field. Just ask Number 2, Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees baseball team what made it possible for his achievements. He’s regarded by his teammates and opponents as the consummate professional and one of the best players of his generation.1
To be a great leader, one has to teach, coach, and mentor; just like Derek Jeter and just like the Sergeant Majors who I have dinner with on occasion. The reason we have so much respect for Sergeant Majors, Derek Jeter, and so many other of the great leaders our society produces is because they encourage and inspire us to be better than we think we can.
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