I have written here before about servant-leadership. Simply put, a servant-leader is a steward of the resources under his care, and seeks to serve those he leads while still getting bottom-line business results. In a November 3 post, Bill Waddell showed how Army Non-commissioned Officers are, essentially, servant-leaders. Bill also provided a link to the NCO Creed, which has lessons for all of us who lead.
You can read the Creed and draw your own conclusions. And have a look at what Bill saw in the Creed.
Here is what I saw. Each of these quotes, in my opinion, is just as meaningful for a business leader as for an Army leader. I would love to work for a leader who could live up to this creed. I hope I am such a leader.
The quotes
"I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety."
"Competence is my watchword."
"My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers."
"All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership."
"I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own."
"I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed."
"I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment."
"I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage."
