As a company dedicated to coaching, mentoring, and developing leaders of all types, we are always stressing to our clients how important it is to have role models and even heroes to help us model our behavior. Studying the lives of leaders is a useful exercise in leadership development. The recent passing of Arizona Senator John McCain has led me to think about how this man’s extraordinary life can be an excellent role model for all leaders.
Let’s look at some of the ways that John McCain’s life and his actions serve as a perfect example of a leader worthy of emulation and appreciation.
Be true to your values – Regardless of one’s political sympathies, you cannot deny that John McCain was clear in his values. For all his talk about bipartisanship, John McCain was a conservative with deeply held views and values. This was strengthened by his enduring love of the United States, its ideals and beliefs, and that as a country we stood out not for our power or natural resources but the conviction of our ideas. Throughout his life, McCain was true to these ideas values. In all matters, he put his country and service to his country as his primary reason for existence. Both as a naval aviator as well as a politician his actions demonstrate clearly that being true to your values and steadfast contributed to his success as a leader.
Understand your opponents – When we speak of emotional intelligence, we make a big deal of the necessity for understanding and having empathy. This served John McCain well, whether as a prisoner of war in Hanoi or his long career in the Senate where success in been drafting unique legislation, he needed not only to understand his opponent’s positions, but be able to understand their needs and their aspirations to gain consensus.
Apologize for your mistakes – John McCain over the course of his career understood the necessity not only for making mistakes but for admitting one’s mistakes as well as also taking them to heart. His mistakes shaped him as much as his successes. When wrong he was not afraid to publicly admit his errors. One can only remember his apology for his short-term acceptance of flying the Confederate flag over the South Carolina State House during the 2000 primaries.
Speak your mind – Agree or disagree with John McCain, one can be sure that when you were with John McCain you knew exactly where he stood. Whether over campaign reform or when he took his colleagues to task for their lack of teamwork in the Senate he never shirked from speaking his mind.
Keep a sense of humor – Although I never met John McCain, I am told that one of his most endearing qualities what’s his sense of humor. For a leader humor comes in quite handy. Few of us will ever experience the hardships of five years of hellish imprisonment, however we all have difficulties which a dose of humor lessen their stings. The ability to laugh is a handy leadership tool.
Maintain focus to higher level of service – John McCain dedicated his life to service to his country and improvement of the lives of others. As a leader we have multiple stakeholders with differing needs and values. Belief in a higher purpose, whatever the organization, helps us maintain focus.
Compromise is not a four letter word: get things done – A lot has been said of how John McCain sought to work with his colleagues across the aisle. He understood the need for bipartisanship in politics to achieve results. Results are the lifeblood of any leader. Coupled with results is action. It is said that the wheels of government move slowly. In order to achieve results John McCain realized that although he was no Pollyanna he knew when to compromise in order to achieve results with his opponents.
Be grateful – A leader only exists through the respect and appreciation of those he surrounds himself with. Successful leaders must be able to show gratitude, to be humble and grateful for whatever situation he finds himself or herself. Although, John McCain had a reputation impatience, he also had a reputation for kindness many examples of showing how grateful he was for all of the things life had given him both good and bad.
Challenge the status quo – Much has been made of John McCain, the maverick. When he saw things like the need for campaign reform, or the need to stop the torture of prisoners McCain never simply accepted the way things are knowing that in all things there is room for improvement. This again is another indicator of the true leader the ability to be a catalyst for change.
Think about your legacy – Upon hearing that he would not be returning to the Senate, John McCain took time to consider his legacy – his accomplishments as well as his failures. He could look back over a long career of public service and feel that he had made a contribution. A leader makes a contribution. What will yours be?
John McCain you will be missed. An American patriot, statesman and leader rest in peace. The world is a better place for your actions, dedication and devotion to your country.