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Plebes from West Point on Leading by Example:
On Friday, February 3rd I had the privilege of spending time with ten West Point Hesselbein Scholars, a group of outstanding minority cadets who are the first Hesselbein Scholars to be appointed. West Point is the oldest continuously operated military post in the country and voted America’s Best College by Forbes. The Plebes[1], West Point term for 1st year students, shared their thoughts about leadership with myself, Frances and several other thought leaders. The stories they shared about their basic training is certainly not your typical college student experience. “We don’t really have privileges…we are learning discipline” said one cadet. We launched into a conversation about leadership and the reality that not every cadet at West point is a ready born leader. Most are there because they believe west point can develop them into great leaders. It’s startling to reflect on the weight of their brave decision to attend West Point knowing that upon graduation they will not begin an entry level office job. They will be sent to some of the most dangerous parts of the world to offer their service and leadership for their country.
We explored the topic more in terms of how the students felt they can influence one another while not being in an official position of authority as a Plebe. We asked the group “What do you do if you see a fellow plebe who isn’t meeting expectations, doesn’t have their shoes shined, getting to class on time, not completing their assignments….”
This was one Cadet’s response: “You don’t really say anything, it’s just the way you act…how you are.” You can hear more of his words in the following video clip: http://vimeo.com/36556469
This is literally straight from one of Frances Hesselbein’s greatest leadership lessons. Leadership is a matter of how to be not how to do. If the cadets we spoke to are naturally gravitating to a level of behaviors and actions that are grounded in values, principles and beliefs then what can we do to help other young people also see the power of their selves in influencing others?
My connection to West Point is through accompanying Frances while she served as Chair for Leadership Studies and made regular visits to the campus to conduct leadership dialogues with the students. The following excerpt from West Point’s website captures their philosophy on Leadership: Leadership is what you are here to learn at West Point—the qualities of character and mind that will make you fit to command a platoon, and beyond that, perhaps, a company, a battalion, or, if you leave the military, a corporation, a foundation, a department of government. .
This reminds me of another great Hesselbein lesson which was gleaned from her time with Peter Drucker. You have to see yourself Life-Size. You have to recognize your own strength, your presence, your power of influence and how remarkable your own contributions are to the mission. The young men I met last week continue to inspire my thoughts and actions. I am grateful for their service.
[1] The “plebe” year is the beginning of the journey for the young men and women who have accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. It is a year in which the first year cadets are challenged to learn and grow. The change begins on a physical and military level beginning with CBT – Cadet Basic Training and continues during the academic year as they are taught according to the Thayer Method – an entirely new way or learning for many of them.
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