Tab wearers and tab bearers
I’m stealing an old adage from the Army. As a young officer, I attended Ranger school and was awarded the Ranger Tab, a patch which I could forever wear on my left shoulder indicating this accomplishment. Alongside serving in combat, it was the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I operated off one meal a day, only a few hours of sleep, and had to lead others under those conditions. I lost 30lbs in the process and looked like a prisoner of war.
Our instructors reminded us as we graduated from the course, “There are tab wearers and tab bearers.” We could certainly wear the patch the rest of our days but would we live up to and honor what came with the elite warrior title in word and deed? Would we be just wearers of the tab or bearers of what it stood for? The Ranger creed states, “I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers… as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other Soldier.”
Any leadership title, CEO, VP, director, or manager comes with the same pledge; to uphold its prestige, honor and high esprit de corps. “Never shall I fail my comrades (employees). I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some… I shall set the example for others to follow.”
I took the title Commander, Boss, and Senior Rater very seriously. I stood in the shoes of leaders who came before me and I felt a strong sense of duty to honor them and my leadership title. Of course, I let my guard down every now and then but the creed, other leaders around me and most importantly my people served to remind me of my pledge. You don’t have to starve yourself and stay awake all night to gain your leadership title but you a bearer of it. Read the Ranger Creed and apply it to your title, words and actions.
I can help. Leadership titles are easily given but they mean so much. Let me help you build a foundation of leadership in your company. Let’s create leadership bearers. Connect with me today!
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell