Two Brothers - Two Leaders

Joseph and Michael were brothers - born two years apart. Joseph, the younger, entered the world in 1922 while Michael ushered in the Roaring 20's on January 12th. They were born into a blue collar family nestled in a lower/middle-class neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA. The boys were close. Oh, they fought like brothers, argued over who was strongest, and were fierce competitors in everything from jacks to stick ball to school work. Both boys were smart and articulate; both could argue and rationalize; both were filled with potential and promise. However, as the adult years past, Joseph matured as a talented engineer in White Plains, New York while Michael spent most of his time in railroad cars, back streets and even jail.

What happened in the lives of these two young men that caused such divergent lifestyle paths. It was World War II - but it wasn't the monstrosities of battle or the diabolical evils of a Nazi prison camp. It wasn't the influence of Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini. Rather, it was the impact of American leaders - one was transformational, the other filled with destruction.

In 1941 both brothers were attending college, no small feat for a blue collar home in the 40s. Joseph was in Rock Island, Illinois attending Augustana College. Michael was a student at Alleghney College, in Meadville, PA. The news of Pearl Harbor ignited both men as each found himself signing up for military service. Joseph joined the Army Corp of Engineers and found himself rebuilding bridges in France and England. Michael joined the US Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet, in the battle of Midway. Both brothers survived the war without physical injury, but both came home changed on the inside.

Joseph met Bill Henderson, his commanding officer. Bill loved his men; he was committed to each soldier. Bill had a plan, worked alongside his engineers, motivated his platoon and lived a life of honor and integrity before them all. Bill earned Joseph's respect from the first day they met. Joseph saw a picture of leadership that impacted him to the core of his being. Bill created a unity and brotherhood among his soldiers that established bonds that lasted a lifetime. Joseph left college to become a soldier. He returned from the war as a man who had experienced great challenge and hardship and yet accomplished great victories within a supportive team of professionals.

Michael met Ensign John Kubic. As Ensign, John was an officer, responsible for leading a group of petty officers and enlisted men in the ship's navigational division. John, however, was not a stellar officer and found ways to use his position to avoid responsibility and abuse his authority. John liked Michael, took him under his wing, but ended up involving Michael in several unethical decisions that impacted the lives and careers of his crew. Before the war had ended John and Michael were both dishonorably discharged from military service. The shame of this black mark on Michael's life made coming home very difficult, so he didn't. He drifted from place to place; work was hard to find for a vet without honor; he tried to run, but the endless road lead to loneliness and despair.

The impact of the leader goes far beyond the success or failure of an organization - it goes to the heart of individuals; the lifestyles and mindsets of employees and customers; the decisions of individuals under the guidance of those with positions of authority. The words and actions of the leader are heard and seen by far more people than the leader realizes. The leader should never minimize or underestimate the power of his life. The impact might be upon the leader's assistant or the 10-year son of the assistant who hears the leader's comments to his dad. The life-changing impact might occur in the heart of the CEO's secretary as she sees his sacrifice and commitment or in the heart of the CEO's daughter when he cancels all appointments to be on time for her dance recital.

The pebble of leadership might seem small to the leader, but the ripples of impact canresult in waves of change in the lives of many.