Leading with Character: Principles of Leadership
As I progressed through my 36-year career with the US Coast Guard, I became evermore intrigued with the study of leadership and leader development. One of the early signals that the Coast Guard offered something special and unique in developing leaders of character struck me while earning my Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management in the early 1990’s. The school had recently introduced its one and only course on leadership. At the time, management was the focus in the business world (some readers may recall the rise of Total Quality Management or TQM in the 1990’s).
Management or Leadership?
Management and leadership both have a place in most organizations. But they’re not the same. As the old saying goes, “You manage products/programs, and you lead people.” I believe management has long been the focus because it can be taught. Leadership theory can be taught, but leadership development comes through experience. Prior to attending Kellogg, I had served as commanding officer of the icebreaker Katmai Bay in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. I recall my leadership class professor at Kellogg turning continually to me for real-world examples of leadership since I was the only one who had led a unit.
It was humbling to be called upon, but also startling to me that in those days, so few people knew much about leadership. Yet the principles of leadership have ancient roots. Trendy terms like servant leadership, inspirational leadership, intrusive leadership, emotional intelligence, etcetera are just new takes on old philosophies. There’s not much about leadership that hasn’t been studied and put into practice for millennia.
Applying Ancient Leadership Principles Today
I’m writing this blog on a lovely fall Sunday and for me, Sunday is a day of worship. Contemplating leadership principles from ancient times that apply today I think of a Bible verse our pastor recently used in a sermon. It’s from the Book of Micah and informs people what God requires of us:
“To act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6-8
You don’t have to be religious to learn from ancient religious texts which offer tried and true principles demonstrated by leaders of character over the ages. Those three principles—justice, kindness, humility—are as relevant today, and to everyone, as they were thousands of years ago.
Justice, Kindness, and Humility
Let’s examine the verse from Micah, which professes the leadership principles of justice, kindness and humility. I’ll share my thoughts on these but challenge you to consider what they mean to you and how you can apply them as a leader of character.
To act justly (justice): Demonstrating moral courage by doing what is right and fair.
To love kindness (kindness): Believing in others by showing compassion and mercy.
To walk humbly with your God (humility): Building trust and earning respect.
To me, these three leadership principles are like the structurally sound sides of an equilateral triangle with character at the center. No outside force can break the model and erode the character—that can only happen from within. Learning how to continuously apply the three principles to preserve the integrity of one’s character will help one be the leader people follow because they want to not because they must.
Look in the mirror: How can you apply the leadership principles of justice, kindness, and humility at home and in the workplace?
Please join me again next week for more on Leading with Character.
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