DEAD MEN'S SHOES

June 6th 1944 - about 11am - A beach in Normandy, France.

You have waded into Hell. Chaos as only we humans can create. The sands are littered with the remains of men. Men who might have grown up to be great leaders; now cut down as everyday leaders, whose charge is completing a small part of a grand plan. Small hands on a big map. Trusted (ideally) by a team who share that same objective.

Committed.

No turning back.

Difficult going forwards.

Leaders dead or incapacitated.

The objective at risk of failure.

Yet by midnight, a beachhead has been established fifteen kilometres deep and wide, establishing a secure base for re-enforcement, a war to be won and peace achieved.

But with so many the leaders out of the game, how did this plan succeed ?

Why did the generals and admirals not call timeout and ask to come back another day with properly trained leaders? Without their leaders, why did their teams not just give up?

Because Leadership is only a FUNCTION

A function that enables the success of the team. The baton of leadership passes to the next leader. A leader who steps into the gap in the shield wall.

The leader is the person whose function is to evaluate options and decide the next move for the team. On June 6th 1944, hundreds of young men stepped up to the mark and took up the mantle of leadership, ensuring their team's survival and their objective achieved. That we are here today is testament to the functionality of their leadership.

There is so much behind this simple explanation in terms of 'how'

but for now - the essence is 'who'.

Because it doesn't matter 'who' you are;

not your school tie,

your accent,

your rank or status,

and certainly not your entitlement.

Just your willingness to own the objective and lead the team there.

This is the essence of LEADERSHIP