Nice Does Not Equal Leadership

Be nice.

You would think that a quality of a leader would be “being nice”. It seems simple enough, be nice to people. Is this really a quality of a leader though? I have encountered my share of nice leaders and also the opposite. Which ones are more effective? There was once a flight commander that I worked for while on exchange with the United States Air Force. His reputation preceded him long before I actually got transferred to his squadron. “You’re going to that Squadron? You’ll work for Andy, he’s the nicest guy around”

Sure enough I had the pleasure of meeting Andy and found his reputation to be completely deserved. Andy was at work first thing in the morning, last one to leave at the end of the day and throughout the day he could be found around the squadron chatting and listening intently to anyone and everyone. The entire squadron loved Andy even the Squadron Commander. I must admit that I looked forward to every encounter with Andy because he was simply a likeable guy. He listened to everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. One day when I arrived at his office, he was eating a delicious smelling sandwich. I attempted a joke using a little sarcasm “ Hi Andy, that smells great, did you bring enough for everyone?” “Sorry” he replied “ Just this one but I have already eaten half, did you have lunch? Here, have this half.” “No, no, Andy…thanks but I was just joking.” “No here, really, you must be hungry, it is lunch time.” And with that, Andy wrapped up the other half walked over and handed me his sandwich as I was trying desperately to back pedal out of my joke. The fact was, Andy really would give you the shirt off his back. Now keep in mind he was the Flight Commander which is a position of significance and importance in the squadron. I was leaving the office one night and came across an airman standing in front of his car. I could see the trunk was open and he looked distressed. “Everything alright I asked?” “Now it is” he said “Just had a flat tire and have to pick up my kids” With that, I looked on the other side of the car for the flat tire and found Andy in dress uniform, jacking up the young Airman’s car to change the tire with a big smile on his face and dirt on his knees.

Now my question for you is if you think Andy is a good leader?

Another paragraph to set the context a little better. One evening as the last of us were leaving the squadron, I found Andy sitting at his desk in his office. He looked visibly distressed and as you know this was completely out of character for him. I asked him what was wrong and if I could help. He replied “No thank you, I just have to get these files completed” He pointed to two tall stacks of folders on his desk. “The Squadron Commander read me the riot act again today about not ensuring the student files are completed, I am behind on all my evaluation reports and I still haven’t begun the reorganization tasking that he gave me 2 months ago.” “Andy, why haven’t you been keeping up with the work?” I asked. “I try, but it seems I am always busy around the squadron, helping others with their issues. I can’t seem to find time to do get to these tasks.”

So, I ask again, is Andy a good leader? The fact is that Andy may be a good leader in many respects but the more important question “Is Andy a good follower?” That may be the bigger issue and what affects his capabilities as a leader. In any good leader, there needs to be a good follower. One that executes direction in a timely fashion, sets the example to others in more dimensions than just being nice. Andy’s work ethic was great but it was focused completely on counselling and camaraderie. These are not bad traits to have but as with any leader, they must be well rounded with other essential skills. In the end, Andy left the military. He could not keep up with the demands of being an officer in charge of a unit…what did he go on to do? High school counsellor…Perfect…Couldn’t have a nicer guy for the position.

Lesson Learned: “Being nice and likeable alone does not constitute leadership.“

This is not to say that they are not great traits, but it takes more than this to be a good leader. What do you think it takes to be a good follower?