Leadership Lessons from a General
For the past dozen or so years, schools have been more interested in teaching leadership intentionally, as opposed to just letting it happen organically. Like many other skills, leadership can be encouraged, coached, discussed and practiced. I support the notion that there are many ways to be intentional about leadership instruction, primarily through drawing students' awareness to various leadership styles and, even better, exposing them to people who are in leadership positions. Especially with high school students, models of leadership in action help them see examples and possibilities in the real world and allows for better internalization of values. Simply telling students the definitions of effective leadership is akin to explaining comma rules independent of their written work: in the abstract, the vital information feels disconnected to authentic application.
Thus, yesterday's SPEAK visitor, General Russel Honore, provided a golden opportunity for our 10th grade students to learn from a man who has been in leadership positions for much of his adult life. A retired three-star general, Gen. Honore has led troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other places. More famously, he was the military leader placed in charge of the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He spoke to 7th graders and 10th graders in two different sessions during the day, then returned in the evening to present to a general audience in Froelicher Theatre. What struck me about the general's presentations was how much his empathetic side came through. Here was a lifetime military man, well trained in the art and tactics of war and defense, who focused much more on concepts of social justice, humility and compassion. In other words, he seemed more interested in the "soft side" of leadership and human interaction. He certainly has the training and background to operate exclusively in the mode of a "take-charge," driver sort of leader. And certainly that style has its place; but he recognizes that there are other ways to lead, and most of those other strategies involve a gentler, more humane approach. Coercion and mandates as tactics only get a leader so far.
The general challenged our sophomores to come up with innovative solutions to the "new normal" of the 21st century, especially in regards to the global problems of water use, energy conservation and development, population growth, and displaced people. He inspired the next generation to reach for answers to problems that have developed over the last two decades, and encouraged them to be leaders in both words and actions.
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Thus, yesterday's SPEAK visitor, General Russel Honore, provided a golden opportunity for our 10th grade students to learn from a man who has been in leadership positions for much of his adult life. A retired three-star general, Gen. Honore has led troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other places. More famously, he was the military leader placed in charge of the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He spoke to 7th graders and 10th graders in two different sessions during the day, then returned in the evening to present to a general audience in Froelicher Theatre. What struck me about the general's presentations was how much his empathetic side came through. Here was a lifetime military man, well trained in the art and tactics of war and defense, who focused much more on concepts of social justice, humility and compassion. In other words, he seemed more interested in the "soft side" of leadership and human interaction. He certainly has the training and background to operate exclusively in the mode of a "take-charge," driver sort of leader. And certainly that style has its place; but he recognizes that there are other ways to lead, and most of those other strategies involve a gentler, more humane approach. Coercion and mandates as tactics only get a leader so far.
The general challenged our sophomores to come up with innovative solutions to the "new normal" of the 21st century, especially in regards to the global problems of water use, energy conservation and development, population growth, and displaced people. He inspired the next generation to reach for answers to problems that have developed over the last two decades, and encouraged them to be leaders in both words and actions.
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