When I read this leadership quote a few weeks ago, I kicked myself for not having found it sooner. (It’s the type of advice I’d put in my signature block…and I’m not even a “signature block philosophy” kind of emailer.) It is attributed to the immutably inspirational leader of the Allied coalition in World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. This insight is powerful because it captures the fundamental nature, the heart, of what it means to be a leader. And Eisenhower uses only 26 words to do it.
[Seated L-R: Gens. William Simpson, George Patton, Carl Spaatz, Dwight Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Courtney Hodges, & Leonard Gerow
Standing L-R: Gens. Ralph Stearley, Hoyt Vandenberg, Walter Bedell Smith, Otto Weyland, & Richard Nugent.]
Here is what I read from General Dwight D. Eisenhower:
“Soldiers will not follow any battle leader with confidence unless they know
that he will require full performance of duty from every member of the team.”
You may want to read it again. If the universal impact of Eisenhower’s counsel doesn’t sink in right away, permit me to offer my thoughts on why this quote should adorn the cover of every leader’s notebook.
Fundamental Truth
From highly specific situational guidance to hopelessly abstract theoretical nonsense, leadership advice has a broad spectrum. One can fill a bookshelf with the tomes dedicated to simply defining it. There exist, however, what I like to think of as core tenets of leadership, the themes that transcend situational particulars and apply to every leadership environment. One might call them Principles of Leadership. “Leaders must lead by example” is certainly one. John Maxwell’s, “Everything rises and falls on leadership” is one that I consider core. Powell’s “Leadership is solving problems” might be another. Eisenhower’s wisdom is undoubtedly among these universal principles.
He specifies “battle” leader, but the idea is certainly not limited to that setting. Instead, it relates to every moment of a leader’s duty day. Combat may offer intrinsic motivation for all to perform at their best, but success in garrison also requires inspirational leadership, perhaps even more so because in battle the cost of failure is plainly evident.
This advice is fundamental because demanding the best out of the team is the only way to accomplish the mission. What team ever found victory by giving their worst? Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden led with the mindset that success would only be found by extracting the absolute best from every individual on the team. When individuals performed their best, the team would be poised to win. That is the essence of leadership.
Commitment to Excellence
Imagine hearing Eisenhower’s statement from your leader. Doesn’t it carry with it the promise that the entire team is committed to excellence? I would take great satisfaction in knowing that my leader’s goal is to hold everyone accountable to “full performance of duty.” Note also that “every member of the team” includes the leader! This statement is a 360 degree promise, a two-way street, a pact to give 100% to the mission. That’s the team I want to be a part of.
What follows from that realization is the only thing that keeps teams together…trust. When the team members know each other will perform to standard, including the leader, trust has fertile soil to grow. Realize also, that when the opposite occurs…when leaders don’t hold team members to the full performance of duty…then no one will trust the leader. Thus, trust can only develop when leaders hold teams accountable to achieve excellence.
Setting the Standard
There’s one more aspect of Eisenhower’s quote that struck me. As any military leader will confess, counseling is a commonly overlooked practice. Too many subordinates execute their daily tasks without ever receiving clear standards of performance, then are disheartened to discover an underwhelming evaluation report at the end of the year. I believe this happens because leaders fail to define what success looks like. Likewise, they don’t explain what practices and behaviors subordinates must avoid to prevent failure.
If leaders would simply set clear standards, they would find performance counseling much easier. Eisenhower’s counsel demands this. For leaders to require full performance of duty from every member of the team, they must clarify performance expectations and provide regular feedback. This is the most effective way to gain confidence among followers.
Demanding Leadership
General Eisenhower’s statement makes it clear…demand the best from the entire team and you’ll inspire their best while gaining their trust. If his leadership quote isn’t on the cover of your green notebook, what is? What are you doing to inspire the best leadership you can offer your team? This advice, from arguably the most influential general in American history, is a good place to start.
Questions for Leaders
- In what ways could you be more clear in your performance expectations?
- How might you be stifling the trust of high performers by failing to hold low performers accountable?
- What other leadership advice to you consider “core”? Leave a comment below.
If you found this post helpful, please share it with your network. Every mention helps!
Subscribe to The Military Leader!