Leadership is a Big Door That Swings on the Small Hinge of Character (Part 2)

“Leadership ………. is like a big door that swings.  But that big door of leadership swings on the small hinge of character.”

                                                                           - Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.)

Last week I shared with you part one of a two-part mini-series on leadership and the outstanding quote above by Admiral James Stavidis (Ret.)

In part one, we discussed the first 5 of nine attributes on character in leadership that I created as the acronym C.H.A.R.A.C.T.E.R.  These were:

C – Commitment to Serve, H – Honor Your Word, A – Attainment = Accomplishment + Becoming, R – Rise to the Occasion and A#2 – Admit and Own Your Mistakes and Move to Correct Them This week, we will continue with the remaining four “character” attributes of being a leader.

• C #2– Capability – The world of leadership places a strong emphasis (and with good reason) on accountability. Holding yourself or others accountable for their actions is seen a strong attribute of any leader. 

However, I believe great leaders take this concept and nuance it to be even more powerful.  Rather than holding those they lead accountable, great leaders hold the members of their teams or organizations capable. 

In this nuanced approach, we see the best in others, communicate to them that we do and hold them capable of showing up and producing results as the most empowered versions of themselves. 

In doing this, we remove the judgement and negative connotation that can result by being held accountable and replace it with a more empowered and affirmative version of claiming and uplifting someone’s potential – holding them capable of their innate greatness. 

Where do you have an opportunity to hold someone capable in your role as a leader?

• T – Treat others with kindness and respect, especially those least important to you – The greatest leaders I have witnessed, are those who are kind and respectful to others despite their role or status level. I am very blessed to have two amazing martial artists and men that I am honored to call my instructors. 

The first, is Bill “Superfoot” Wallace.  An undefeated world champion and considered to be the world’s greatest kicker, Grandmaster Wallace still travels the globe today, some four-and-a-half decades since he won his first world title, teaching seminars to aspiring students.  In over 36 years with him, I have participated in and assisted him in countless seminars. 

Sometimes, hundreds of people attend these trainings.  However, at each outing, without fail, he spends considerable amounts of time talking, joking with and just connecting with everyone he encounters. 

It doesn’t matter if it is a beginning student or a fellow seasoned grandmaster instructor, he shows the same kindness, respect and of course, good-natured ribbing to everyone.  He has certainly impacted me, as I strive to emulate his example in my role as a martial arts instructor, a public speaker and a leader. 

Where do you have an opportunity to lead from a greater place of respect and kindness?

• E – Envision the best in and others and support them. Great leaders see the best in others and support them in reaching their best. 

The other man I am so honored to call my martial arts teacher is Grandmaster Jae Kyu Lee.  I began my training with Grandmaster Lee when I was only 13 years old and I attribute him still as being one of the most influential people in my life, over four decades later. 

In one of my first classes with Grandmaster Lee, he recognized and helped me to envision my promise and potential as a martial artist when he looked at me and said, “I will make you a champion!”  I still don’t know why, but in just hearing those words, I knew they had to be true.  I guess when someone you love, admire and respect sees the best in you and claims it for you, then it becomes possible for you to believe it and then envision it for yourself. 

As a martial arts teacher, leader and coach, I have done my best to see the grand potential in those I serve and do my best to inspire them to see it in themselves. 

Where to do you have an opportunity as a leader to recognize the greatness in someone, share your observations and inspire that person to envision that for themselves?

• R#2 – Respect others – While I spoke of respect previously, I believe there is an even deeper way we can demonstrate this quality of character in our role as leaders.

Great leaders respect not only other’s time, as noted above, but also their points of view, their ideas of change, their struggles and their vulnerabilities.  They may not agree with them, but they will always listen and give others the courtesy of being heard. 

As leaders, being fully engaged and present with those we lead when we are interacting with them can be one of our most powerful skills as a leader.  People who feel heard feel empowered and are more willing to respect others, as well. 

Where do you have an opportunity to increase your level of respect you show others in your life?

 9-Day Character in Leadership Challenge

This week I challenge all of us to take part in what I am calling the 9-Day Character in Leadership Challenge (I wanted it to be 7 days, but the word character has nine letters in it 😊).

It works like this – Each day choose one of the Leadership Character Attributes listed above to focus on for the day (e.g. Day One, focus on Commitment to Serve and Day Two, Honoring your Word, etc.). 

Then, throughout the course of the day, each time you open a door to enter a room, office or building (sliding doors, revolving doors or open entry ways can still count), pause of a moment ask yourself how you can bring that attribute to the situation. 

For instance, walking into a meeting room on Day One, you could silently ask yourself, “How can I bring a commitment to serve to this meeting?”

I encourage all of us to give this a try and notice how bringing this intentionality can transform you as a leader and allow you to make the greatest impact on those you lead – including yourself. 

Remember, leadership is a big door, but it swings on a small hinge called character.

Chris Natzke

Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching