Mississippi College gave me a chance to tryout as the team’s kicker, The coach allowed me but one kick for my tryout. Fortunately, my kick went eight yards deep in the end zone. It was a sixty-eight yard kick, the longest kick I made in my career. Football was one of my first experiences with teamwork and leadership.
People asked what made me an effective leader in Iraq. To be honest, I was scared to death on the inside, but just like the old saying goes I wasn’t going to let anyone see me sweat. Early on I was unsure that I would be able to actually do what everybody wanted me to do. I knew I needed to ask the Lord to help me do the right things to take care of my people. Throughout the experience I grew to trust my instincts that I believe were formed from my experiences and my faith in God to show me the way.
It was a difficult situation when I had to make a decision and my gut told me one thing and the people around me told me something else.
Another thing that defined my leadership was my staff. I have always felt that I must surround myself with the best people and then empower them. Effective leadership is a lot easier when the people around you do a great job.
We had six battalions working for us. Each one had its own commander and sergeant major. While most military organizations had higher-ranking officers in headquarters that wanted to run the battalions, we didn’t. We let the battalion commanders and the sergeant majors call the shots.
I don’t believe we needed to exert command authority, but rather we must give them the opportunity, show them the way, and empower them to do it. My management style is to not be a micromanager.
When we are weary, God, please renew us physically, emotionally, mentally, volitionally, and spiritually. When we feel exhausted, Holy Spirit, please fill us.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)