Leadership in Action: The Power of a Simple Mantra
By: Wes Cochrane
One of the most effective leaders I ever met was a 21 year-old college junior. It was the summer of 2007, and I was heading into my second year at West Point. West Point’s training model has since morphed (and no doubt, improved), but back then, rising second-year cadets (also known as “Yearlings,” or “Yuks”) went to an intensive 6-week training program located at West Point’s Camp Buckner, where they learned small unit tactics, received training on medical skills, use of artillery, and integration of combat and close air support, and put everything together in a culminating field training exercise involving sustained combat operations against a simulated enemy. We were divided into 9-person squads, with a rising third-year cadet (or “Cow”) leading 8 of us Yuks.
My squad leader for a portion of that summer training was an impressive cadet named Dana. A West Point football player, Dana was powerfully-built and had a seemingly immeasurable reservoir of energy. Among an already fit group of cadets, Dana seemed stronger and faster than any of us. He covered kilometer after kilometer with a heavy rucksack on his back with zero complaint, which, if you’ve ever “rucked,” you know it’s awful… just like jumping out of an airplane; I don’t care who you are :) . He also seemed to know – really know – what the heck he was actually doing. He understood not just how to perform the skills we were learning, but also how to effectively teach the concepts to us.
However, what made Dana truly effective was not his physical prowess and knowledge. Of course, being competent is a necessary ingredient for any leader; but, what made Dana truly effective was his attitude. Only a third year cadet himself, Dana already knew how to actually lead. And his leadership style was straight-forward and uncomplicated.
He consistently did two things well:
(1) he maintained a relentlessly-positive attitude; and
(2) he used a simple, but powerful mantra: “Get your minds right.”
Before any long movement, under heavy loads, “Get your minds right.”
Before a combat water obstacle course, “Get your minds right.”
Before a long night of patrol-base operations where the squad would get limited sleep and brave the typical summer thunderstorm, “Get your minds right.”
Even at the beginning of a day, before some routine training, “Get your minds right.”
Every day, “Get your minds right;” delivered with a steady stream of positivity and encouragement.
Such mantras can risk being facially cliché, and, initially, the squad’s response was muted. However, over time, Dana’s approach won us over. He delivered his simple mantra genuinely, sincerely, and most importantly – consistently. The squad caught on. “Get your minds right” became almost talismanic in its effect. It had a sobering, focusing effect; and our squad responded. It prompted us to make the choice to be engaged. To show up. To get in the right frame of mind. In an environment where the “work” was physically exhausting and often grueling, Dana focused our squad with a simple, but powerful mantra – day after day. His simple mantra and consistent positive attitude were the tools he used to get us to put one foot in front of the other and keep marching toward our goals. While seeing significant, measurable success over the course of the summer, the squad bonded and avoided the drama that other squads fell prey to.
Dana married positivity with a simple mantra, and it worked. Fourteen years later, after working with numerous leaders, and leading teams myself, I can still see Dana grin and announce, “C’mon… Get your minds right. Let’s go. We got this.”
APPLICATION
As you consider Dana’s example, think about how you could apply it to your team.
What are your team’s goals? What do you need or want out of your people? How are you going to get them there? What do you need to focus them on? What positive mantra can you employ tomorrow morning, next Monday, or when the project’s deadline is drawing near and stress is peaking?
If this feels awkward for you, as a leader, then just start with yourself. What positive mantra can you offer yourself each day this next week?
Leadership is always a choice. Leaders are neither born nor made. They simply choose to lead. That’s what intentional leadership is all about.
Lead well, my friends.
Wes is passionate about leadership development and is a gifted speaker, coach, and teacher. Wes recently spent the last two years as a military prosecutor at the 82nd Airborne Division, where he was consistently praised for his advocacy skills by seasoned trial practitioners.
Wes is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the University of Richmond School of Law, and the US Army’s Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault schools. Prior to attending law school, Wes served as an infantry officer in the US Army where he led a rifle platoon, served as the second in command of an infantry company, and deployed to Afghanistan. He is now a major in the Army and is attending the Graduate Course at the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, VA.
Wes and his wife, Anne, have three children.
For more on leadership and life mantras, I highly recommend this episode of the Intentional Leader podcast with Brigadier General Pat work:
