Eagles Don’t Quack Like Ducks

General George S. Patton said, “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom”. General Patton was the consummate leader and he had probably forgotten more about leadership than most of us will ever know. And one thing that was always clear, is that Patton never quacked …he always sounded and acted like an eagle. Patton knew that the attitude of the troops reflected the leadership of their commander. The same is true in today’s business environment. As business and thought leaders we must never underestimate the influence that our actions, attitudes and words (whether spoken or not) will have. Not only on our own team, but on the teams and other leaders with which we come into contact. Leadership has nothing to do with political correctness, so do not be fooled into a behavior that may undermine your leadership potential. On the other hand, you probably won’t get people to follow if you are negative. While in the Navy, I was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for paratrooper training. There they had a 250 foot tower that was as close to simulating a parachute landing from an airplane. I will spare you the details, but the equipment I had fouled and I began a 60 foot freefall descent. After 20 feet I hit the cross bar of one of the tower supports. It slowed my drop as I landed on a highly slanted roof and slide of the roof and the final 20 feet to the ground. I knew all the troops were watching, so I popped up and sounded off with a loud and thunderous “Airborne”. The drill sergeant came over and told me I had to go to sick bay. After a brief argument I agree to go to sick bay only because I was guaranteed that I could return shortly. I began to double time to sick bay (because you must double time everywhere in the Airborne Area). When I passed the two medics carrying a stretcher and running towards the Airborne Area, I informed them that I was the person who had fallen, and I carried the stretcher back to sick bay. I was banged up pretty badly, with a hole punched in my back and a laceration across the hind part of my knee, but because I was in a leadership role, I had to manage my own attitude, stay positive, and be responsible for the impact and influence that my actions were going to have on the enlisted personnel. Even after leaving the Airborne Area, I kept double-timing and carried the stretcher because I knew that although not in direct contact with the troops, they would most certainly hear about my conduct. If you are in a leadership role, it is your responsibility to stay positive. It is imperative to recognize that the attitude of employees is a direct reflection of their leadership. Influence on attitude is just something that comes with a leadership role and position. And managing that attitude, and your own, is a very personal thing. Whether attitudes are good or bad, it is important to restate that the attitude of employees is a direct reflection of their leadership. If you want to know how you are doing as a leader, go and check the morale of your employees by listening to what they are saying.