Graceland, Ontario: Leadership

Showing posts with label Leadership. Show all posts

Saturday, June 8, 2013

And THIS is What Happens!

Lost.

We’ve all been there. When someone tell’s you to do something but not how and you get completely lost. You try your best but you might as well be speaking Jupiterian.

Such is the case with bad leadership. It makes you feel foolish and it messes the overall project up, too.

But none so much as what happened at the Battle of Stonycreek in 1813.

The War of 1812 was in full swing − the

U.S.

invading what would become

Canada

, a series of British Colonies. The Anglo-Canadians were losing. The

U.S.

forces had burned York, the capital, a month before on April 27^th, then Newark, the old capital, on May 27^th. Only weeks later, on July 6^th, British/Canadian forces under General Vincent stood outnumbered and on the retreat. But, they still had an opportunity. Followed by a couple thousand Americans, the British planned a surprise attack to make up for their meagre 700 troops.

The battle started at 2 in the morning and after a short time it became clear the British were going to lose. They had too little men and couldn’t break the American centre. Then something happened…

General Vincent, the British commander, was thrown from his horse. Unable to lead, Major Charles Plenderleath took command. Realizing the bad situation they were in, he created a small force to take out the American cannons and hopefully turn the battle around.

The small force did that − and more. They captured the American commander Brigadier General John Chandler when he went to check on his artillery. Then, they captured Brigadier General William H. Winder, the American second-in-command when he made the same mistake. Without any leadership, the winning American army retreated, leaving the outnumbered Anglo-Canadian forces on the field.

Canada

was saved to everyone’s great surprise… once again.

Leadership means so much. The British won because they had someone telling them what to do. When there’s no vision, no plan to follow, things go to hell quickly. Even when everything should be in your favour, if it’s clumsily executed, you’ll lose just as the American’s did exactly 200 years ago.

Many people are scared to walk up to the platform and take charge. They’re scared they’ll make a mistake and things will go badly. Ironically, even if they do poorly, they’ll still lead better than no leader would. Someone has to be the one to make the plan. If no one else does it, it might as well be you.

Because, sure as eggs scramble, if it’s nobody, you’re in for a ridiculous loss.

History rhymes, as Mark Twain said. Make sure you only mimic the parts you like.

Alex H.

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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Great Leaders are Hated

Helloo0O Ladies and Gentlemen!

Welcome to Graceland Ontario, your one stop location for success advice from the greats. Today we’re going to talk about standing for what you believe in.

Now, as many of you know, Margaret Thatcher, once Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, passed away yesterday. But, though I will not venture to say whether I liked or disliked her political positions (I doubt whether I have the expertise to say anyways), the news of her death’s struck me rather strangely.

Here we have a woman who was the first female prime minister of the U.K. (and, at present, the only), a woman who led her country for eleven and a half years with an iron fist, who stood tall through a war and tough economic times, who brought her nation to the level of respect it had long since enjoyed in world politics. And what did she get for it?

Some respect… but an equal amount of criticism and hate.

Margaret Thatcher was a true leader. She stood up for her ideals, did what she thought was right, took the bananas as they were thrown at her and ultimately was backstabbed by her own party. Even then she earned herself a baronessies and a comfortable place as a national icon. Yet, I’d say little of what she attained has been acknowledged by the people she led with news of her death, at least in comparison to what you’d think given her accomplishments.

Sometimes we need to do what we think is right. Sure not everyone will agree with us. I might not even agree with everything Thatcher did, but I sure do respect her. Anyone who can take that kind of hammering from those you’re trying to help is worthy of all the esteem they can garner.

Now, contrary to the title of this post, great leaders aren’t hated, not always. But you’ve got to be willing to be hated, willing to be like Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady”. Because she got things done and she got them done her way and she lost no dignity doing so. She was the greatest ally and the most revered enemy. When you need to get things done, she’s the one to model.

Because people without the strength to stand by themselves don’t achieve great levels of success. Sometimes you can be liked or you can do what needs to be done. Successful people choose the latter, however painful it may be.

It’s up to you whether you’re capable of that level of excellence.

Alex H.

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Sunday, March 24, 2013

Step in the Fresh Snow

How’s it going Ladies and Gentlemen?

Welcome back to Graceland Ontario, your one stop location for success advice from the greats. Today we’re going to talk about being a leader.

Now I don’t know how it is on your side of the world, but in Canada, where I live anyways, it’s pretty white − you know, a “Winter Wonderland”?

Anyways, one of the cool things about snow is that you can see the footprints of every person who’s stepped in it (providing the wind hasn’t blown it, it’s melted, or more snow’s fallen on top of it). For the continued quality of the footprints imprinted in it, few ground-covers can compete − I mean, grass certainly can’t, mud gets too messy and sand gets disgruntled too easily.

Well, there’s something else you can tell about snow − a lot of people walk in the same steps of those before them.

Why?

Well, my theory is it’s easier, and doesn’t get your shoes as snowed up. You see, with snow being so capable of keeping an impression it also makes it harder to make the impression − you know, you get what you step for, or something along those lines.

So sometimes there’re areas of sidewalk that turn into ice so much snow has been compounded while other areas are untouched.

Now, before you have me set as nature-obsessed, here’s my point: true leaders are the ones who step in the snowy areas. They know it might take more effort but they also know they get the benefit of seeing only their print in the snow (the more specialized your knowledge or skill is, the more people are willing to recognise and pay you). As Arnold Schwarzenegger says (in that awesome Austrian accent), “high risk, high gain”. And, as a plus, leaders avoid the ice, those areas that look well-worn and safe but hide heartbreak (a boring lifestyle, high debt, an unsatisfying relationship).

Take the jump, step in the fresh snow!