Most all of us have a favorite quote or maxim on our email signature block. Some have inspirational maxims on the walls of their office. These could be from an inspirational quotation, maybe some holy texts, or even an aphorism that you believe that defines you or your leadership style. Great, we all do it and this is a good practice if this serves as a reminder to you in your daily activities. The real question that beckons is does this adage really define how others view you as a leader?
Stone and Chisel
When I lecture on leadership I have often had this idea for a homework assignment. The question would be ‘how do you want to be remembered?’ In our culture it is not uncommon for there to be prose on the headstones honoring the deceased. When folks walk past your grave and view the granite tombstone, other than the name and dates of birth and death; what would be the writings on the tombstone to tell others about you? What words do you want to carry into the future about you? So, the assignment would be that each student would have to write their own inscription for their tombstone. Each student would return with their quote about them to chisel into stone for all eternity to know of them.
All the while the staff of the student, a family member and a supervisor would have to write their version of the student’s epitaph, and then we would compare them all. This would have been a monstrous planning undertaking and would probably create more troubles than it could be worth. Of course we are going on the standard that all would be honest and truthful, no warm and fuzzy moments. If all were still speaking to each other after the assignment; would there be a similarity or vast difference between the quotes? Maybe others do not view you in such high esteem or you really need to look into the mirror and perform some retrospect on yourself.
I have written that leadership is not for the fainthearted and use of the mirror is required. First of all when you gaze into the mirror on a cold gray morning, look at yourself closely. Today you will not make everyone happy with your decisions, so you will not be loved by all, Give yourself a smile and drive on. If you have to practice a tough speech or moment, look into the mirror again. Practice pointing your finger and hold the pose. If you are pointing your index finger at someone, the other four fingers in your hand are pointing back at you. Therefore, this comment you are going to deliver today better be four times more correct than you think you are. The mirror will not deceive you and you should not try to deceive either. I had one old gentleman tell me years ago, when you look into the mirror before bed, can you say to the reflection that you gave it your best this day and did not waste it? Have you given it your best efforts today? The mirror will help you write your reflection of life, say it aloud to yourself.
I know that there have been some leadership training systems that were anti-quotes. One that comes to mind is Edwards Deming’s 14 Points for Total Quality Management more specifically point #10 Eliminate slogans, exhortations and targets for the workforce. Some believe it is better to set your own internal goals than to copy or rely on others. Point well taken here for there are variables in all we do and times have changed. Still we are engrained with the ideas of quotes or jingles to promote recall or to give out the battle cry of the unit.
Does it really matter how you are remembered or is it your legacy you want to ensure. I would venture to say that every supervisor or leader wants to be someone that is looked up to. You want to be the one person, that even after you are gone your presence is felt by those who never knew you. So how do you do it? Not every department needs the same type of leadership style or direction. There should be some basic foundations of this. For me, this foundation will be one that is true (honest or real) and a style that rewards the brilliance of its staff. My reply to my staff is how can I help you excel today? For me, I have achieved far more than I ever dreamed, it is pointless for me at my age to continue to outdo myself. I want to create more leaders for the future to carry the flag forward. For me in the mirror, it’s not all about me but rather those who are shouldering today’s load. I need to help them, therefore the team excels, not just one. In today’s world we have far too many are in the world just for themselves. I hope that we can garner more future leaders who are in their vocation for all the right reasons. Those who are trying to make a difference and put others’ needs above their own. They are the leaders we need today, not someone who wants to cut and run when it gets hot.
I have not tried to be morbid with this piece but want you to set your own leadership compass. Too many folks go to their graves full of regrets, only if I could have done this or that. So instead of being a part of the ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda crowd, make a difference in the morning. Look into that mirror and challenge yourself to make the difference today. If you are not tacking in the right direction, you can always adjust to achieve your leadership destination. So what is your draft for your epitaph?
William L. Harvey | Chief
William L. "Bill" Harvey is a U.S. Army Military Police Corps veteran. He has a BA in criminology from St. Leo University and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute of the University of Louisville (103rd AOC). Harvey served for over 23 years with the Savannah (GA) Police Department in field operations, investigations and completed his career as the director of training. Served as the chief of police of the Lebanon City Police Dept (PA) for over seven years and then ten years as Chief of Police for the Ephrata Police Dept (PA). In retirement he continues to publish for professional periodicals and train.
