Leadership Lessons from 'The Greatest Generation'

In business, schools and community, we spend a lot of talking about leadership, life lessons, goals, accountability and responsibility. To motivate our leaders, help our business grow and communicate specific values and goals, we look for examples around us to model. These examples can come from all areas of life. One of the greatest examples of leadership and sacrifice are the veterans of World War II; named by many as the “Greatest Generation.”

As the 67th anniversary of the D-Day invasion approaches, veterans pass away by 1,000 a day. These community leaders from all parts of the United States who grew up during the Depression, without hesitation served their country not because they had to, but because they felt it was something they needed to do.

Tom Brokaw, in his book, "The Greatest Generation” states that these citizens answered the call to save the world from the “two most powerful and ruthless military machines ever assembled."  They faced great odds and a late start, but they did not protest. They succeeded on every front. They won the war; they saved the world. They came home to joyous and short-lived celebrations and immediately began the task of rebuilding their lives and the world they wanted. They married in record numbers and gave birth to another distinctive generation, the Baby Boomers.

This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values: duty, honor, economy, courage, and service, love of family and country, and above all, responsibility for oneself.

Think about those comments; facing great odds, united by a common purpose, values, courage, economy and responsibility. Those are examples that should prevail in every aspect of our companies, organizations, schools, athletic team, clubs, etc.

What lessons can we learn from this group of heroes? 

• When times are difficult and we are experience great odds in our economy – we must prevail and find ways move forward. 
• A common purpose or goal is a way to unite everyone for the cause; whether it is a sales forecast, membership goals, improved customer service, ACT scores or a win-loss record.
• Courage – taking risks and being proactive instead of just managing the status quo.
• Responsibility and duty. Are we taking accountability for our actions? Are we as citizens willing to step up and work collectively to improve our community, improve our local economy, mold our future leaders and drive change?

Regardless of the generation, leadership lessons are found in everyday life. The citizens who served during World War II are role models whom we can learn from, and their values should be something that we emulate in our communities.