Chris Whipp - The Leadership Secret: Be the Difference That Makes the Difference

For Paige

Copyright 2013 Major Chris Whipp

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There are many different interpretations of what a leader is so let me be clear about what it is that makes those stand out as effective in the context of this book and those that do not. Being in a position of authority is not sufficient to make a true Leader. One who merely barks orders at their subordinates is not a Leader. History has shown that many dictators have lived relatively long and in their own minds successful lives, however this is often at the suffering of those over whom they dictate. As well as the fact that their lives could have been longer if it were not for the inevitable coup.

A basic requirement for an effective Leader is that they must care about leading. Leadership at any level is an honour. Taking the responsibility, however great or small, for others should not be taken lightly. It would not do, of course to be overly emotive for those under your direction but a degree of empathy with their situation will assist with your decision-making and overall influence. I have heard on numerous occasions of how a new coach or a new CEO in place has turned around the fortunes of a team. Often the first comment made about what they brought them is how much they cared. We will look more into this aspect throughout the book. You need not be overcome with emotion for the business you are in either, passion is a driving force but desperation stinks. Leading by definition implies that you are showing the way, that you are on a journey in a particular direction. It is important to remember this fact at all times. Is the team as a whole moving in the same direction? Are you developing your team? Are you developing yourself?

Can you give me examples of a good Leader? I have asked this question on numerous occasions at seminars and group discussions and I always receive similar results. Take a moment to write down the names of five or so people that you would label as a leader.

What did you come up with? This question usually throws up heads of state from history, as one might expect and those involved in changing the world-view on human rights. They include Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during the Second World War, Nelson Mandela, incarcerated for many years due to the oppressive apartheid laws and eventually went on to lead his nation, South Africa. Barack Obama, the first African/American President of the United States of America. Also mentioned are top sporting personalities; Martin Johnson, Englands World Cup winning rugby captain, Dan Marino, the NFL quarterback, Andrew Straus, the England cricket captain who led the team from 5th to number 1 in the world. Successful business entrepreneurs often receive high praise and special mention. Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group, Donald Trump and Steve Jobs are often included. All, in their own way, justifiable examples of what many would term a Leader. Added to this list often appear a few others that we do not admire, Adolf Hitler being the most common and we will stick with him as an ideal example of the point I wish to begin with. For me Leadership and being a Leader is not just about being in charge. If I asked you whether you would like to develop your leadership style so that you too could be like Adolf, I would hope that you would answer no. I am guessing that if someone described you as leading like Hitler did then it would not be taken as a compliment. Perhaps there is a book in the Dictatorship Secret but Im not sure people would want to be seen reading it.

Leadership is Action not position.
Donald H McGannon

One business leader I have already mentioned, as do others more often than not when I am conducting such seminars is Richard Branson. And it is very easy to see why. Sir Richard, knighted for his contribution to UK industry and philanthropy, has managed to build a global empire continuously in the public eye whilst maintaining contact with reality. Anyone lucky enough to have travelled on his airline, Virgin Atlantic, will recognize not only the professionalism by which his staff go about their duties but also the sense of fun and cheekiness added to his information material right from the cartoon safety video through to the aeroplane shaped salt and pepper dispensers which have clearly moulded on their bases pinched from Virgin Atlantic. His attitude to life is worn blatantly on his sleeve. He has been involved in some of the most exciting and daring adventures including high altitude balloon record attempts and powerboat transatlantic crossings and it is this sense of adventure that is about to take fare paying passengers into space, what more could you ask for?

I had almost completed this book when I came across this response during a BBC interview, Sir Richard gave to a question concerning his attitude to leadership and it highlights an often-misunderstood point so I just had to include it, you will see why. The interviewer is Matthew Stadlen:

MS. Do you think you have to be, sometimes ruthless to get to where you are, to get to where youve got to?

RB. I think being ruthless is counter-productive. I think people like to deal with people who play fair and I think its the stereotype of the ruthless entrepreneur pushing their way to the top. I dont think its an accurate portrayal of how to get to the top.

And that does not mean that you allow yourself to be walked over, as he made clear with his next answer:

MS. Are you tough though?

RB. Maybe. I mean if Im taking on British Airways, Ill be tough, Ill fight my corner.

Take on BA he did and he did indeed fight his corner, in a creative and playful way, not violently. When the BA-sponsored London Eye had a technical problem that meant they couldnt erect it, Sir Richard saw an ideal opportunity. With the worlds press waiting to see it going up he utilised his airship company, based just outside London, and scrambled a blimp. The end result was an airship flying over the wheel bearing the slogan BA Cant Get It Up!!

For me another great leader of our time may surprise some of you. And yet from the heart he epitomises what leadership is really all about. He first appeared on our screens back at the end of the last century and was an immediate success. Audiences were drawn in by his passion for his trade and his willingness to impart his knowledge. It was obvious to all how much he loved what he was doing and how he wanted us all to love it too. It was this infectious and driven personality that would take the Naked Chef beyond simply having a number one bestselling cookbook. What has set Jamie Oliver apart from his peers has not simply been the engaging way he teaches us how to prepare food but his unerring drive to educate about the nutritional value of food and the damaging effect the wrong food can have on our children.