Paradoxical commandments of leadership
I recently spent some time with this year’s GAC crashers during DCUC’s annual crasher luncheon. I am always impressed with the diversity and talent each class brings from across the United States. What I love most about the Crasher program is it is a wonderful blend of cultures, experiences, and ambitions … exactly what the future of our industry requires.
Every year, I look forward to sharing advice with this group and usually provide an initial reading list for emerging leaders with reasons why I recommend a particular book. If you are part of #crasherfam then you know which books I usually recommend. Many of these books offer recommendations on how to keep a conversation going, how to enter a room, and how to project a commanding presence.
However, events that have transpired within the industry over the last six months have made me focus on who I am as a leader, how I am leading, and the actions I am taking on behalf of our member credit unions.
I have seen several LinkedIn posts and quotes that made me reflect and inspired me to press on with the work we are doing as the Defense Credit Union Council. I’d like to share some thoughts I had when reading the “commandments” below.
I don’t remember who the author was for these “commandments.” However, I did write them down and have found them useful throughout my military and credit union career. I hope you will also enjoy and use them in your own leadership and credit union journeys:
Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership
“People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered…”
LOVE THEM ANYWAY
“Do good and people will accuse you of being selfish and having ulterior motives…”
DO GOOD ANYWAY
“Being successful means having false friends and true enemies…”
BE SUCCESSFUL ANYWAY
“The good you do today will be forgotten by tomorrow… “
DO GOOD ANYWAY
“Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable…”
BE HONEST ANYWAY
“The biggest dreamers with the biggest ideas can be shot down by small thinkers and small minds…”
DREAM ANYWAY
“People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs…”
FIGHT FOR A FEW UNDERDOGS ANYWAY
“What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight…”
BUILD ANYWAY
“People who really need your help will end up attacking you…”
HELP THEM ANYWAY
“Give the world your best and you’ll get kicked in the teeth…”
GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY
To all the crashers in the past, present, and future—always strive to be the best leaders, the leaders we expect you will become and who will make our world a better place. Remember, people will have different ways of doing things or strategies for success. It is the leader’s duty to keep the organization and credit union movement on an upward path. A great leader never stops learning, reflecting, and pushing forward!
*Paradoxial Commandments of Leadership was written by Dr. Kent M. Keith 1968; renewed 2001.
