The Impact of Leadership Doesn't End

Happy July 4th,

There are two mistakes leaders make that come with significant consequences:

1. Allowing positional authority to become the actions of a tyrant

2. Making themselves the hero of the story

Independence Day in America is Celebrated today, July 4th. It provides a stark reminder of these two mistakes made by the king of England in the years surrounding 1776.

While I am excited to barbecue, watch fireworks, and have drinks with family and friends (while also working on material for three workshops and a keynote next week), I can’t ignore the abundant leadership lessons surrounding America’s Independence Day. Specifically, one that I want you to carry with you:

The impact of leadership doesn’t end.

If you like taking lessons from the past to help you as a leader in the present, this week is for you.

What it means:

One of my favorite leadership principles from the Accelerate Leadership System is:

Leadership is temporary; it’s impact is lasting

Titles matter, but they are temporary. Every title, from President to Pope to CEO, will be held by someone else. However, your impact on those you get to lead will last well beyond you.

John Adams, in a note to his wife Abigail, wrote:

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not.—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means.”

Adams understood that the impact of their leadership would be lasting, which is a sign of unbelievable wisdom. While you might not be responsible for leading a movement of independence, your impact on those you lead is lasting.

What it means:

Courage is being scared and deciding to do it anyway. The founding fathers of the United States wrote the Declaration of Independence in it it said,

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Thomas Jefferson then highlighted 26 tyrannical acts by the King, leaving America no choice but to choose courage and claim its Independence—an act that guaranteed war and suffering to win freedom.

Later, he continued:

In every stage of these Oppressions, We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Remember, the point of leadership is the people. The King allowed his positional authority to become the act of a tyrant, and the consequences are marked in eternity.

What it means:

The Declaration begins with a powerful line:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…

The key here is “one people.” This speaks to one community in which all individuals belong. Gaining independence and freedom would be a monumental task with a low probability of success. Trying to accomplish this without all 13 colonies and having individuals bought into being a part of “one people” would have been impossible.

It’s okay if team members disagree and have healthy conflict as long as they are willing to move forward on a united front. Your job as a leader is to unite people around a common cause or goal.

Keep Leading Your Best,

John Eades | CEO LearnLoft

Leadership at Every Level (Video)

Leadership is a choice. Effective leadership is a set of skills.

Stop asking your people to be leaders; it's time to show them how.

The only way organizations will thrive now and in the future is to have leaders willing and able to lead at every level.

Do you agree?

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Here are some ways we could work together:

Provide the Accelerate Leadership System to Leaders in Your Organization - Only 15% of new managers receive training, and 60% of leaders fail within 18 months. Instead of hoping your most talented people figure out how to be leaders, now is the time to show them how. Introducing the Accelerate Leadership System. Provide your managers with the foundation to be successful with tailored examples, tools, and stories to fit your company culture. Ideal for managers, supervisors, and executives in groups of 8+.

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Speaking - We’re now booking keynotes for Q3 & Q4. Reply to this note or fill out the form here, and our team will be in touch to discuss topics, availability, and pricing.