During World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower took a cruise around the Isle of Capri. On seeing a large villa, he asked about it and learned that it was to be his quarters. He inquired about the neighboring villa as well, and learned that it would soon belong to Army Air Force General Carl Spaatz.
“Damn it,” Eisenhower said, “That’s not my villa and that’s not General Spaatz’s villa! None of these will belong to any general as long as I’m boss around here. This is supposed to be a center--for combat men..”
Eisenhower was never one for setting himself apart. Raised on a farm in Kansas, Eisenhower kept set times for meals and bible study. After high school he went to West Point and was an average student who enjoyed sports. Sadly, he didn’t make the baseball team.
During the war years, Eisenhower earned his five stars because he proved to be a diligent, effective leader who could think strategically. After the war, Eisenhower became president of Columbia University and later, the 34th President of the United States. But Eisenhower didn’t achieve his leadership successes because he was particularly charismatic or because he was a brilliant orator with sweeping visions. He was a leader because he was adept at maneuvering within political circles. He preferred to move agendas forward and get things done rather than advance his own ego.
“Damn it,” Eisenhower said, “That’s not my villa and that’s not General Spaatz’s villa! None of these will belong to any general as long as I’m boss around here. This is supposed to be a center--for combat men..”
Eisenhower was never one for setting himself apart. Raised on a farm in Kansas, Eisenhower kept set times for meals and bible study. After high school he went to West Point and was an average student who enjoyed sports. Sadly, he didn’t make the baseball team.
During the war years, Eisenhower earned his five stars because he proved to be a diligent, effective leader who could think strategically. After the war, Eisenhower became president of Columbia University and later, the 34th President of the United States. But Eisenhower didn’t achieve his leadership successes because he was particularly charismatic or because he was a brilliant orator with sweeping visions. He was a leader because he was adept at maneuvering within political circles. He preferred to move agendas forward and get things done rather than advance his own ego.
Leaders can learn from Eisenhower’s humility in five key ways:
1. Don’t take yourself seriously
Eisenhower said, “Always take your job seriously, never yourself.” His first priority was getting the job done, and he knew that humor helped. He said, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.”
Leaders need to be serious and focused when pushing agendas, but they must have a sense of humor throughout the process. Humor helps deal with the inevitable roadblocks.
2. A leader doesn’t simply order people around
Eisenhower believed that leadership didn’t come from barking orders or mandating action. He said, “You do not lead by hitting people over the head. That’s assault, not leadership.” At the core of this sentiment is the idea that leadership isn’t about simply pushing your own ideas. It’s about a conversation that demands respect and listening--from both sides.
“Leadership,” Eisenhower said “is the art of getting someone else to do something you want - done because he wants to do it.”
Again, Eisenhower stresses that getting people to move is a subtle process that involves dialogue and interaction. It’s not about defining what you as a leader want, but discovering what everyone wants and fighting for that.
Leaders must appreciate that leadership is about continually searching for common needs and involves conversation, both listening and talking.
1. Don’t take yourself seriously
Eisenhower said, “Always take your job seriously, never yourself.” His first priority was getting the job done, and he knew that humor helped. He said, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.”
Leaders need to be serious and focused when pushing agendas, but they must have a sense of humor throughout the process. Humor helps deal with the inevitable roadblocks.
2. A leader doesn’t simply order people around
Eisenhower believed that leadership didn’t come from barking orders or mandating action. He said, “You do not lead by hitting people over the head. That’s assault, not leadership.” At the core of this sentiment is the idea that leadership isn’t about simply pushing your own ideas. It’s about a conversation that demands respect and listening--from both sides.
“Leadership,” Eisenhower said “is the art of getting someone else to do something you want - done because he wants to do it.”
Again, Eisenhower stresses that getting people to move is a subtle process that involves dialogue and interaction. It’s not about defining what you as a leader want, but discovering what everyone wants and fighting for that.
Leaders must appreciate that leadership is about continually searching for common needs and involves conversation, both listening and talking.
Author and Credits:
SAMUEL B. BACHARACH | Columnist | Director, Cornell's Institute of Workplace Studies