2 Leadership Lessons from Seventh US President

I read a book last week on the military career of Andrew Jackson, our nation's seventh President.  "Old Hickory" as an army general provides two lessons--one about what leaders should do, and one about what leaders should avoid.

The first is that a leader MUST show genuine care and concern for those being led.  Throughout his military career, the soldiers he commanded were very devoted to Jackson.  So, you as a leader must do everything you can to show that you really do care about your employees.  That means understanding their perspectives, their concerns, their hopes and dreams.

The best way to develop this understanding is to spend time with your employees, on their turf.  Even as a general, Jackson spent time with his troops.  And, his interactions with them showed he cared.  He didn't have special privileges--he ate the same food, slept in the same awful conditions, and often gave up his own horse to carry wounded soldiers. 

That's leading by example.  But, it starts with spending time with your employees.

The second lesson is to avoid rash decisions.  Jackson often reacted quickly, without thinking things through.  And two examples contradict his genuine concern for the troops:  In the field, he had an 18-year old soldier EXECUTED for mutiny.  I won't bore you with all the facts, but trust me, it was a rash decision.  Later, in another rash decision, he had two British nationals executed, again in the field, for spying.

Sort of like work-place violence in reverse. 

So, avoid rash decisions, and take the time to think things over carefully.  And do what you can to understand your employees.  Gain that understanding by spending time with them, and then lead by example.