Leadership in The Heat of Battle

INTRODUCTION

SUCCESFUL TRAITS – ADVICE FROM A KING AND TWO GENERALS

If you have picked up this book and are looking it over then you are likely a leader who wants to be a better leader.  In that case I am most honored you are holding this book in your hands and are considering using it as another tool to grow.  Furthermore, you are most likely a leader who in leading has encountered demands, stresses, pressures, and who wants to become better able to deal with these. 

It’s most likely true that deep down you are hoping that this book will enable you to become such a good leader that you will then have less of these challenges.  It is also probably true that, deeper down, you know that as you grow as a leader you won’t have less stresses, you’ll probably have more.  But, you also know that through these struggles you will grow to be a leader that you will be proud of.  I sincerely hope this book is of some value to you.

I believe we become leaders by wanting to help make this world a better place.  We strive to become better leaders by reading, listening and observing others; by trying to adopt some of the traits of successful leaders into our own character; and finally by taking action, going out and using these traits, evaluating the results, and beginning again.  It is a life long process, and if we really strive to grow, we will strain our physical, mental and spiritual muscles.  We will fail and fall on our knees, get up, and seek and accept the help of better leaders.  If we persevere, we may be blessed to become a person of influence who does in fact make this world a better place for others.  If not by success, then by our example of striving for excellence.

And now a challenge.  In striving to become leaders we are often exposed to things that may seem foreign to us at first.  We encounter a new, different way of looking at something.  If we have the courage to do that, we often find that, similar to cracking open a pecan, therein lies a good nourishing fruit, simply residing in a shell that initially appeared unattractive.  This book may contain some thoughts or ideas you have not considered before.  It is meant to help the leaders of today and tomorrow.  I feel we are facing some real tough times currently.  I know that all of us will experience challenging times.  I believe that this world needs some good leaders; you may be one of them.  I believe we can find some of the answers through looking at yesterdays leaders and what made them great.     

I believe that if you really want to achieve success as a leader and do more than just survive struggles and trials, if you want to be victorious, to grow through it all, then you must find  balance.  You have to discover the core pillars of living that will provide a foundation so strong, so able to withstand anything, that you can then trust them and obtain that peace, assurance, confidence and calm that will enable you to see clearly, make wise decisions quickly, act courageously, and always be victorious, even in defeat. 

I believe that one of these core pillars or legs that fosters success and achievement is faith in something bigger than ourselves.  You’ve been warned.  If this is a new area or not one you ventured into for a while, be willing to consider it.  Practice the courage and objectivity a true leader needs.  Continue on.  If it is a familiar area, then welcome back.  Thomas Jonathan Jackson believed,

“My opinion is, that everyone should honestly and fairly investigate the Bible; and if he can believe it to be the word of God, to follow its teachings.”  ¹

Robert E. Lee would have agreed.  Many highly successful leaders in politics, the military, and business have found, and still find, it to be true.  After all Solomon the richest and wisest leader in history said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”  Proverbs 1:7.

James Robertson Jr. in the preface of his book, Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend. Relates that almost in the center of Jackson’s walnut bookcase are three works side by side.  The Holy Bible; John Gibbon’s, The Artillerist’s Manual; and Phillip Bennet Power’s, “I Will.”: Being the Determination of the Man of God. 

I feel that at the center of his being were three great drives, or priorities if you will.  The desire to know, love and be with God; the desire to achieve honor for his family, success; and the desire to provide and share love of family.

I believe these same three priorities are the only way to achieve success as a person and as a leader.  Like three legs of a stool they are all three important in obtaining a life of balance and success.  All three are interdependent.  Life consists in our keeping a balance among the three, and in placing the proper weight on each of the three, placing God first, family second, and one’s calling third.