The Application of Servant Leadership Requires Sacrifice, Humily, and Service

AMCA and Luminant Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant have been partnering together to build a culture of Servant Leadership since 1990.  Kurt Schultz, an employee at CPNPP, recently sent us an excellent definition of servant leadership in a short paper his 15 year old son, C/Sgt Steven Schultz, wrote about the role that service and sacrifice play in leadership.  Sometimes the voice of the very young brings profound wisdom to those who listen.

The Philosophy and Ethos are the mindset of the Advanced Training Squadron.  The Philosophy and the Ethos are two separate, but similar documents that work together to promote a common purpose.  The Philosophy and the Ethos (hereafter referred to as Philosophy) are a mindset not only of leadership, but also of followership, stressing attributes such as sacrifice, humility, and servitude. 

One of the points that really stood out to me was how much the Philosophy stressed sacrifice as a leadership trait (or attribute).  In almost every passage of the Philosophy, sacrifice played a large role.  You sacrifice your time to help a younger cadet.   You sacrifice your individuality by submitting to rules and holding yourself to the same standards as your cadets.   Finally, you sacrifice your pride by accepting graciously the hardest, least desirable jobs, especially when you could choose to delegate them.    

The Philosophy also stressed the importance of humility and servitude in a leadership position.   The Philosophy clearly states that leadership is serving the follower.  This philosophy of servitude relates back to sacrifice in that you must be ready and willing at all times to give up your privileges and personal comfort for the benefit of those you command.  My understanding of humility, in regard to leadership and sacrifice, is being selfless enough to respect and obey your superiors while at the same time remaining humble enough to not command your subordinates like a diabolical dictator.  

The Philosophy is all of these traits - sacrifice, humility, servitude, and more - rolled into one: Leadership.  The Philosophy is not leadership, nor can it make you a leader; it specifically states that.  However, an understanding of the Philosophy and the ideals contained within it can help to smooth the transition between knowledge of leadership and application of leadership.

C/TSgt Steven C. Schultz

Steven is a member of the Civil Air Patrol 441st Composite Squadron in Granbury, TX.

The Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization that is an auxilliary of the US Air Force.

For more information about the Civil Air Patrol, click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Air_Patrol

Issom Willis, 24 years of Extraordinary Customer Service for SWA

Since I first began flying SWA in and out of Lovefield, I’ve noticed the Extraordinary enthusiasm and ‘can do‘spirit of skycaps at SWA.  One who immediately won my heart over and over is Issom Willis who proudly welcomes Customers at Lovefield baggage curbside check in.  But what he does is just the way Southwest teaches all their Employees to serve Customers. Warrior Spirit, Leading with a Servant’s Heart and Fun-Luving Attitude defines the spirit of SWA.

Many years ago I was traveling with a large brown cardboard box of books that had been rained on while waiting to be loaded into the belly of the plane. As it comes off the conveyor belt, my box had come apart at all the seams with books spilling out everywhere.

Issom sprang into action. Out of nowhere he appeared with a large roll of strapping tape and helped gather up all 48 books. Carefully he re-taped my box and helped tuck each book back into place saving me several hundred dollars in precious inventory.

When I offered him a tip, he refused, assuring me that he was only doing his job. “We hope you will come back every chance you get and fly Southwest. And I’ll be here eager to assist you!”

That was many years ago. I can’t tell you how frequently Issom goes the extra mile. I can tell you that he’s won a special place in my heart and Customer loyalty to SWA that won’t quit!