Let’s get this email done quickly before life gets in the way again.

So, as promised last week, here’s the email about “fair weather leadership.”

Now you may be wondering what in the heck is “fair weather leadership” and what exactly does it have to do with you.

This form of sugar-coated leadership actually concerns you more than you realize.

Take a quick look around the online world and you’ll see many self-proclaimed leaders and gurus talking a big game… but when it comes down to it, they actually couldn’t lead a sinner into temptation!

Yet, there they are ramming their “Do what I say, not what I do!” style of leadership down the throats of people who don’t know any better.

And then as they establish their authority, they remove anyone who challenges or confronts them from their herd, tribe (or whatever funky name they use).

So, what’s wrong with that?

Of course, it’s their tribe and they can do what they want … but it comes at a cost to everyone.

These leaders and gurus probably mistakenly think they are strengthening their heard. But the fact is, they are actually weakening it… and their leadership becomes weaker as well.

So how does this apply to you?

Simple! If you follow this kind of leader or even use their leadership to model your own leadership style on … then you’ll be a weak, luck lustre leader too.

How do I know, well after spending 14 years in the Army as an Officer and reaching the rank of Major … I know a few things about leadership and leaders.

I’ve experienced the empowerment of great leadership … and I’ve suffered at the hands of incompetent leaders who were in positions well beyond their capabilities.

One of the best things about leadership in the military is, you can’t cull your herd if they oppose you … so your leadership is tempered and becomes stronger. Often out of necessity.

For instance, if you are assigned to a difficult Unit filled with “problem-children” and “administrative nightmares,” you can’t just sack them and get a new batch of agreeable followers.

Instead, you need to find a way to do your job and get everyone else to do theirs.

This reminds me of one “horror” posting I had in the Army back in 1998.

I was a newly promoted Captain and despite being promised a prize posting to the School of Health (like the School of Rock and just as awesome!), I was diverted to “Camp Craphole” because no one else would go there.

Up until I was posted there, the position had been for senior Captains only. But over the previous 5 years, the Captain Nursing Officers only lasted for one year out of their three-year posting before they threatened to quit.

So it was up to me to try to turn this rock show around.

I’d be lying if I say it didn’t terrify me.

When I arrived at the unit, I had 5 out of my 15 medics with their discharge papers in, I had one soldier who was suicidal, an 18-year Corporal (not 18 years old! A guy who had been a Corporal for 18 years! No one is a Corporal for 18 years) who was as useless as tits on a bull … and a Lieutenant who should never have been let in the Army in the first place!

I also had two Private medics, who showed a lot of potential, who were on some kind of “blacklist” because the Company Sergeant Major (CSM) hated them. He told me they were banned from ever being promoted.

Morale was through the floor and no one liked going to work.

It was an absolute mess!

My first step in fixing the problem was to interview every single staff member. I asked them what they thought needed to change, how they’d change it if they were me, and then asked them what was important to them. I also asked them what they could do to help me turn things around.

The first few months were a lot of hard work, and I didn’t make any huge changes (change for change’s sake is never popular, is disruptive and lowers morale). But what I did do was to treat people with respect.

I looked for and found ways to involve even the most skeptical and resistant soldiers in the process of change.
In fact, their skepticism and negativity was a driving force for our success. And eventually, they enjoyed being part of a cohesive, inclusive team … instead of being an outsider or an outcast.

After months of hard work, I finally got the situation under control and we all started to work well together.

My medics even withdrew their discharge paperwork.

So can you guess what the main problem was?

It was a lack of leadership… but not any kind of leadership! Good, strong leadership.

Up until my arrival, all the soldiers had been exposed to was poor, ineffective leadership … and they were following suit.

Leadership is more important than people realize. And it influences people more than they know.

Which is why, it’s always important to know that although some people seem to have the authority (self-appointed, bought or otherwise) …

Knowledge Nugget #139:
Not Every One Who Leads Is A Leader

Some people simply find a hole, fill it and declare themselves to be a leader.

But is that enough to be a leader?

And when you become an instant leader (just add followers) … is it a good idea to thin the herd and eject anyone who disagrees with you or has a different opinion than yours?

Now I need to be clear here … I’m not talking about trolls and people who set out to make you look stupid. I am talking about people who may challenge you and your ideas.

It’s rare in life that people will have the same opinion as you. So, is it a wise idea to get yourself a following of “yes-people?”

I don’t think it is.

And I think Dudley Field Malone sums it up perfectly when he said, “I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.”

When I arrived at “Camp Craphole” I received so much resistance it was overwhelming. Everyone thought I’d be like all the other Nursing Captains that only lasted a year. (If I was lucky!)

But it was that resistance and pressure that tempered my leadership mettle. I became a strong leader with great problem-solving abilities (which I use every day).

I could never have become the resourceful leader that I am today by getting a free pass or being surrounded by “yes-people.”

So when I see these so-called leaders kicking people out of their communities because they dared to challenge them … I shudder.

They’re creating a generation of faux leaders who think it’s ok to treat people as though they’re disposable.

For leaders like me, I know that I will not get along with everyone at a personal level, but I respect people for who and what they are.

And I also know that people from all walks of life, with different opinions and viewpoints, all add to the richness of my life.

To me, that’s what leadership is about … bringing out the best in others, as they bring out the best in you.

True leaders grow from the people they have around them. And that’s why I surround myself with a vast array of people who challenge me to be more than I was yesterday.

So what kind of leader are you?

Are you a “fair weather” leader or a “been there, done that” battle-hardened leader with the scars to prove it?

Until next week… take care and lead with your heart : )

Pauline xxx

Pauline Longdon
a.k.a. “The Copy Alchemist”

P.S.  I’m not saying don’t step up and be a leader, or you can only be a leader if you were in the military. What I am saying is choose a great leadership role model and allow yourself to get real-world experience. You’ll be a stronger leader and people will respect you for it.

P.P.S.  The funniest comment I ever saw on an Officer’s annual report (not mine!) was … “I’m sure the soldiers only follow this Officer to see what stupid thing they’ll do next!”

You don’t want to be that kind of leader, and you certainly don’t want to follow one!

P.P.P.S.  Too many faux leaders are threatened by people rising up through the ranks … and many will try to keep these potential threats “in their place.” A great leader is not afraid to empower their soldiers or followers to be more successful than they are.

Remember those two blacklisted Privates I mentioned who showed heaps of potential?

Well, within six months of me being at the Unit, I got them promoted to Lance Corporal. They both turned out to be great leaders and rose up the ranks quickly. One of them even received a prestigious medal for her courage and quick thinking under fire. (That would never have happened if she wasn’t promoted.)

It turned out the CSM blacklisted the Privates because he was threatened by the Private’s potential and vowed to kill their careers. (Not everyone who leads is a leader!)

P.P.P.P.S.  Just for the record, I didn’t last 3 years at “Camp Craphole” either. After two years I was “Head-Hunted” to my Dream Job at the School of Health.

They needed a strong leader to command and deliver a new Tri-Service (Army, Navy & Airforce) Basic Medics Course. And because of my exceptional leadership and the way I quickly cleaned up the mess at “Camp Craphole” I was the only person for the job. And I didn’t let them down!