In this episode of @TheScienceofLeadership Dr. Collins sits down with General Barry McCaffrey to discuss the powerful impacts that occur when we appreciate those we lead.
General McCaffrey is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, led troops in both the Vietnam and Gulf Wars, and served as the Commander of U.S. Southern Command. He was awarded numerous medals, including two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts. Following his retirement from the Army, he served as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Clinton. Since that time, he has served on multiple boards of directors for various corporations and non-profits.
General McCaffrey shares profound insights on why appreciating and recognizing your team is essential for leadership success, how small acts of praise can make a big difference, and why fairness doesn't always mean equality. They explore concepts like the importance of leading from the front, recognizing star performers, and the challenges of large-scale organizations.
General McCaffrey shares a compelling story from his time in Vietnam about the importance of leaders eating last and being first in battle, embodying servant leadership at its core. Dr. Collins highlights the Four Cs of Leadership—Character, Competence, Caring, and Communication—and how they apply across industries, from military to healthcare. Key concepts in this episode include appreciation, servant leadership, character, competence, and recognition.
Key Takeaways:
• The Importance of Recognition: General McCaffrey emphasizes the need to recognize excellence publicly, a powerful motivator in both military and civilian leadership.
• Servant Leadership in Action: Leadership isn't about personal gain; it's about ensuring your team is well-cared for and valued.
• Tailored Praise: Not everyone wants or needs public recognition. Good leaders understand the preferences of their people and adjust accordingly.
• Character and Competence are Non-Negotiable: Great leaders must be experts in their field and must embody integrity.
• Hard Work is the X-Factor: The willingness to put in the effort consistently sets successful leaders apart.
• Leadership in Large Organizations: Even in massive organizations, it's possible to maintain personal connections and understand individual contributions.
• Fairness vs. Equality: Rewarding everyone equally can be detrimental; recognizing exceptional performers benefits the entire team.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leadership Recognition
00:45 Welcome and Guest Introduction
02:20 The Importance of Appreciation in Leadership
05:32 Techniques for Conveying Value
07:47 Contextual Praise and Recognition
09:06 Challenges in Recognizing Excellence
20:03 The Role of Hard Work in Leadership
33:12 The Impact of Personal Touch in Leadership
37:35 General McCaffrey's Leadership Story
41:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
References
Algoe, S. B., Haidt, J., & Gable, S. L. (2008). Beyond reciprocity: Gratitude and relationships in everyday life. Emotion, 8(3), 425-429. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.8.3.425
Cameron, K. S., & Spreitzer, G. M. (2012). Positive leadership: Strategies for extraordinary performance. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler
Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great. New York: Harper Business.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior. New York: Plenum Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377
Fisher, C. D. (2010). Happiness at work. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(4), 384-412. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00270.x
Grant, A. M., & Gino, F. (2010). A little thanks goes a long way: Explaining why gratitude expressions motivate prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(6), 946-955. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017935
