So, what does any of this have to do with Serving Leadership? What is Serving Leadership? Serving Leadership as a concept was first explored by a gentleman by the name of Robert Greenleaf in 1971. He proposed that a leader is one who is trusted by followers for being a servant first. This is very different from the person who believes leadership only comes with a title. To be a true leader... a servant-leader, you need to serve as well as lead. Ken Blanchard advanced the notion by discussing the concepts of serving leadership in the form of a five step pyramid which he upended (turned up-side-down) to start with the smallest point first and grow to the largest at the top.
The five principles start with “Run to a Great Purpose” as the foundation. It means to envision and pursue a worthy outcome that may seem impossible, but is inspirational to those who seek it. As we examine our Profession of Arms, we are doing exactly that; pursuing a commitment to a set of values and ideals that is bigger than the sum of our personal sacrifices.
The second principle is to “Upend the Pyramid”, that is, to exercise your power to empower those who serve. Gen. Martin Dempsey and now, Cone as the TRADOC Commander is focusing on fully leveraging the power of technology in the Squad, and by doing so, empowering the Squad members to ensure it achieves and retains a tactical overmatch capability.
The third principle is “Raise the Bar” that is, holding high expectations for yourself and others. By examining ourselves as an Army Profession, we are holding all in this profession to a higher strength of character, a higher level of individual and unit discipline, and greater accountability.
“Blaze the Trail”, the fourth principle is providing ongoing teaching on those things that we expect from our followers. As leaders, our biggest obstacle is the one that hinders our subordinates. It is why we train, why we teach, and who we mentor that will determine how successful the Army of the future will be.
Finally, “Building on Strength” the fifth principle is, while acknowledging our weaknesses and working them, really focusing on the strengths and qualities of those we lead and exploiting their strengths. We are doing this by maintaining the lessons learned over the past 10 years as we now move forward in this time of transition from an Army at war to an Army that is preparing for the next war. Effective leadership will continue to be job one as we coach, teach and mentor our future military and the officers and NCOs that will lead us in the future.
I would like to take a moment to welcome Command Sgt. Maj. Rocci DeRezza as the next command sergeant major of the 108th Training Command (IET). DeRezza has been in the military for 28 years, has served in a number of positions as a command sergeant major to include tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
I also wish to say thank you, on behalf of the entire 108th Training Command to Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Payne for his 27 years of service to the 108th Training Command. Payne has 36 years in the military; 13 years as a Command Sgt. Maj. in various battalions, brigades, and schools. He will be missed.
I also wish to congratulate Brig. Gen. Allen Elliott on his promotion to Brig. Gen. Elliott is assigned to the 108th Training Command as the Deputy Commanding General and is taking on those duties and responsibilities aggressively.
To the officers and Soldiers of the 108th Training Command, continue to do what you do best: provide professional trained and ready drill sergeants, instructors, and leader trainers. You are the future of our great Army.
Victory starts here!