I have been mentoring a select group NFL coaches and administrators. Each of these individuals are enormously talented, deeply passionate natural leaders with huge future upsides. Each has already been touted as a future NFL head coach or GM. What I love about working with these guys is that they each display an uncommon humility. Demonstrated in their attitudes, they are hungry to learn and to be better. Despite their emmense success, they have not been bitten by the “I have arrived” bug.  I have challenged them to remember that this attribute is a core reason for their success and must remain so if they are to become even greater influencers of men in their profession.
The great leaders are the ones who carry vast influence beyond their positional titles and responsibilities. People follow them not because they have to but because they believe in them . People give the gift of their followership to these superb leaders because of consistency of purpose, integrity, ability, and other centeredness. The other common link that I observe among great leaders is a genuine humility evidenced by a passion to learn, improve, and get better while not taking themselves  and their successes too seriously, no matter how experienced they may be.

Recently I had an opportunity to witness the stunning contrast between a truly humble yet powerful and an arrogant leader who believed he had already arrived.  After speaking to a group of distinguished physician leaders, the senior leader of the group approached me with deep appreciation of what he had learned in the presentation .  He stated the principes would be extremely valuable both in his professional and personal life.

It should be noted that this doctor over a forty year span had acquired a reputation that bordered on “awe” by his colleagues within his specialty.  Known both for his compassion and his ”worldclass” ability, he chaired a department of one of the world’s foremost teaching  hospitals. I am confident that he had forgotten more about leadership than I will ever know.  This man had a compelling presence that attracted me both to him and to his ideas.  His reputation was well deserved.

The next morning I was teaching to same model to a group of young physicians.  At the end of the session, one of them responded that this had been an unwise investment of his time.  In his late 20’s, he indicated that none of the information presented was new and that he had already implemented much of it in his life.  I was not surprised as  I had already learned that this particular individual, while noted for his intelligence and technical skills, was turning off his colleagues becuase of percieved arrogance and an unapproachable manner.  While technically proficient, he was not regarded as an effective leader.  He had an impressive title but nobody was following!

I thought back to the previous day and marveled at the differing responses.  One man with a worldwide reputation for excellence, truly brilliant,  possessing a genuine desire to grow, highly regarded among his colleagues said thank you for inspiring me.  Another man, new to his profession, but already gaining a reputation for arrogance, in response  said, “I am beyond this basic stuff. You wasted my time.”  Which person would you want to follow?  Which  of these two people would your friends, family, and colleagues say that you would most mirror?  Ask five people that you know will be honest with you.  You might gain some revealing   insights.

Food for thought! Comments?