As I wrote in an earlier blog, one of my sons is playing tackle football for the first time this year. It has been a blast for me to watch him grow throughout this season.
One of the things that goes along with him playing football are volunteer requirements for the league. Today I fulfilled my fourth and final required shift by working at the main gate taking admission. To be honest, it was one of the easier slots that one can volunteer to fill. But, as usual, it got me to thinking.
Bear with me as I walk you through my thought (convoluted) process. My good buddy, Rick Mitchell, often said to me that those that work in law enforcement have a front row seat to the greatest show on earth. And that is a pretty accurate description of this profession.
And that led me to the thought I’m writing on today. What about those within the profession that aspire and attain higher rank? What changes for them?
The price of admission? Putting your people first. Not in some abstract or meaningless way. I mean really put them first.
For example, Jack Welch stated, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” All the effort that you put in to get you to this point must be shifted to others. The laser focus devotion to your career? Yep, that too. The measure of success? The success of your people.
Some may consider this price to be too high. If so, leadership isn’t for them. There are few things more damaging to an organization than a selfish individual in a leadership role. It can be devastating. It simply cannot be allowed.
But for those who are willing or maybe even relish the idea of serving others, then the price of admission is worth it. And the impact that they can make, on others or through others, simply cannot be overstated.
