I just finished watching a 50 minute talk from General Mark Welsh that he gave Nov 1, 2011. You can find it here. Normally, I would just tweet the link, but I wanted to comment on it so I have a reference to my thoughts. Those that know me, know I am not a military type person. Several times in my adult career I have seriously debated becoming law enforcement, working for the Coast Guard, being a paramedic, or entering the military. If I was younger and General Mark Welsh gave this talk to a room I was in, and he or someone like him was leading me, I’d have signed up right away full stop. if I am able to develop half of his leadership skills (based on his talk) before I retire I will feel like I accomplished something from a leadership perspective.
It is well worth watching the entire talk. General Welsh has such presence. I felt like I right there in the room when he spoke. My current mentor told me that presence is one of the qualities any leader must have. General Welsh has presence. While I enjoyed the entire talk, the parts that really registered for me, I describe below, but for most you can stop reading. I just encourage you to take the time to watch the entire talk.
Making a difference.
These people made a difference. Everybody I just talked about is making a difference, and you will too. Don’t worry about that.
He flat out says ‘you will make a difference and don’t worry about that.’ Do you work for or with people that will say that about others with that level of confidence in their staff? He even says not to worry about it, as if it is a done deal, and he believes it.
Expectations.
He speaks about 4 expectations that all the students must meet, credibility, attention to detail, be ready to make decisions, and be committed. He speaks about each one of these and gives very real examples of how it has applied to individuals that have been where the students are, allowing the inference it will apply to them.
Leadership is a gift.
In the completion of his talk before given a toast to a fallen friend, he makes two statements that really registered with me.
Leadership is a gift. It’s given by those who follow. But you have to be worthy of it.
If you are still saying this place sucks, leave, we don’t need you, we don’t want you, don’t have time for you.
For me, this was one of if not the best talks on leadership I have ever watched or been present.
