Lt. Gen. Robert. L. Van Antwerp is taking the United States Army Corps of Engineers to a higher level using the framework of Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great. Greatness for the Corps “can be boiled down to four standards,” he explained. 1) They are “delivering superior performance every time; 2) setting the standards for our profession; 3) making a unique, positive contribution to our nation and other nations; 4) and building the Corps’ team to last.”
“You can’t go to great without exceptional leadership throughout the organization,” said Van Antwerp. “Good to Great details five levels of leadership based on Collins’ research of publicly traded companies. Many reach the fourth level, but few get to level five. The two distinguishing characteristics of level five leaders might surprise you humility and professional will. They are humble and have a burning desire for the organization to succeed.”
“Humility is a characteristic that God looks for in those he holds in high regard. Isaiah 66:2 says, ‘These are the ones I esteem, declares the Lord, those who are humble, contrite in spirit and tremble at my word.’ For me, it means placing my confidence in him and not in my own strength.”
Humility is not a quality often associated with leadership, but it is a distinctive characteristic of level five leaders. Godly principles work in a secular world. They’re uncommon, but they work.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren describes humility as “not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. Level five leaders know it’s not about them.”
Van Antwerp is contrite in spirit with respect to handling criticism. Often the Corps plays a role of intermediary as it works with the federal government, regulatory bodies, local authorities, and others.
“This puts us right in the middle, at times. If we’ve done something wrong or not delivered, we want to admit it. We want to be ‘repentant’ about it, and we want to use that as a stepping-stone to something better,” he said, noting that trials and tribulations produce perseverance, which produces hope and proven character.
“If you want to grow your character, you’ve got to be in the hunt, I tell people ‘Don’t shy away from the tough tasks. If you are out there, if you’re swinging the bat, you’re going to get criticized. But you’ll learn from your mistakes, and you’ll grow as a result,’” he concluded.
Allow me to think of myself less without thinking less of myself. Show me how to have a contrite heart.
Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp is the Commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. His agency is responsible for executing diverse engineering, designing, contracting and construction missions for civil and military projects around the globe, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The thoughts expressed by him are his alone and in no way reflect those of the United States Government, Department of Defense, or the United States Army.
“This is the one I esteem: He who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2)