I heard a well-known college football coach tell a room full of high school coaches that he did not allow his players to select team captains. He believed that during the season, everyone is given an opportunity to lead and wanted his players to be ready at any moment to take a leadership role.

I believe we are all given opportunities to lead at one time or another. Whether leaders are effective or not has much more to do with their personal character than it does with their knowledge. People do not tend to follow the selfish into a conflict.

All across our history, soldiers have fought and died in battles because they believed in what they were fighting for. When the call of CHARGE was heard, there was no hesitation. They were willing to follow because they believed.

Unimaginable courage.

When I was coaching, I challenged my players to look in the mirror every day and ask themselves this question, “If I yelled CHARGE, would people follow me?”

 

What a great question to ask yourself regardless of where you are in life.

If you are a parent, a co- worker, a boss, a friend, a loner, a truck driver, a farmer, a waitress – it does not matter – you will have opportunities to lead. It may be a few people, or a few thousand, so be prepared.

Here are a few questions I ask myself when determining whether others would follow me if I yelled CHARGE!

 

• Do I treat others the way I want to be treated?

 

• Have I proven to be a team player by my actions and words?

 

• Do I ever ask,” Hey, are you doing ok?”

 

• Do I take the time to REACH BACK and help another?

 

Building “CHARGE” type of trust does not come easy.

Being a great leader doesn’t require that we have everything figured out. Being a great leader ensures others that we – TOGETHER – will get figured out. Empowering others creates an environment of respect and trust.

You don’t have to be a well – known college football coach to lead. Leadership takes place just about everywhere. In the home, at church, at work, and even in friendly conversations.

The best leaders I worked for deflected success and absorbed defeat. When things were going good, you never saw them, and they never asked for credit. But when things started going bad, they were front and center, taking the heat and shouldering the load.

CHARGE!

If you yelled CHARGE! Would people follow you?

If you grabbed the flag, what would others do?

Do they believe in you? Enough to go where you lead?

Or do the words you speak lack the fulfillment of deeds?

Do they doubt you and what you’re fighting for?

Will they stay close to you as you run into the roar?

Or will they stay behind, showing no faith in your quest?

Leaving all in disarray searching for one to lead the rest?

Leadership is developed through building others up.

Serving with humility flowing from your cup.

If you do that, you will begin to plainly see.

When the cry CHARGE! is made, there your people will be!

 

I have learned it is best to take the “it’s about WE” approach, not “it’s about ME.”  Nobody likes to play with a ball hog.

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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to [email protected].