Everyone, I suppose, has his own definition of leadership in this highly-charged
electoral year. And, no, I’m not touching politics in today’s blog or tomorrow’s
or ever. But after watching several documentaries recently (courtesy of Amazon
Prime), the subject of leadership has
stayed in my mind.
I’m thinking in particular of “Dick
Winters: Hang Tough”.
He never set out to be a leader. He joined the Army fresh out
of college, even before the United States entered World War II. After basic
training, he was selected for Officer Training School and then decided to join
the paratroopers. Assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company E,
2nd Battalion), he learned new skills. By now some of you may recognize ‘Easy
Company’ of “Band of Brothers”.
When the company commander was killed on D-Day, Dick Winters
took over, and his natural leadership abilities came into play. He had no
agenda except doing what was necessary to win the war and getting as many of
his men as possible home at the end of it. The “power” which often accompanies
the position of command didn’t figure in. Liked and respected by his men, he
forged ahead doing what had to be done. As one of his men said later, “I would follow you into
hell.”
He continued his military career after the war but
eventually went into business. It’s noted in his obit that he lectured on
leadership several times to cadets at West Point. He died in 2011 from
complications of Parkinsons at the age of 92. He did not live to see the
unveiling of the memorial erected in honor of
all leaders in Normandy.
So what made him a leader? Not throwing his weight around.
Not bullying or threats. He didn’t lead from behind. No braying or braggadocio.
No slick moves to achieve notoriety or get his own way. He just did what he had to do in the circumstances
in which he found himself--and so, I believe, did the majority of those men and
boys of my father’s generation who left it all--often gave all--for what we so
easily dismiss and dishonor today.
Are there more like Dick Winters today? I fervently hope so.
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