Cowardly Leadership Incompetency, complacency, hubris and infallibility www.cowardlyleadership.com Brad K. Chambers, Principal

www.cowardlyleadership.com -Harriet Beecher Stowe

Why COWARDLY LEADERSHIP? Lt Dyke https://youtu.be/Q80DmaoN_I4 Good to Great, Great by Choice, American Lion-Andrew Jackson in the White House, John Adams, Team of Rivals, Love ‘em and Lead ‘em, EntreLeadership, Leadership in Action, The Leaders Code, The One Thing You Need to Know- About Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success TED Talks on Leadership Powerful. “Coward” is a significant word Talk About What You Know Because all leadership isn’t good leadership!

Not abstract, theoretical, philosophical, but- These People…. …sigh…. Not abstract, theoretical, philosophical, but- Real examples of people in positions of power: Commissioner Lt Dyke Mayor

Francesco Schittino

Bruce Ismay- Who? Chairman and managing director of the White Star Line.[1] In 1912 he came to international attention as the highest-ranking White Star official to survive the wreck of the company's brand new RMS Titanic, for which he was subject to severe criticism.

COWARDLY LEADERSHIP… is a concept difficult to grasp… It is such a contradiction in terms…because: Look for “proof of their own righteousness” i.e. “Façade Leadership” They sacrifice others for their own gain https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_why_good_leaders_make_ you_feel_safe#t-701935 They eat first Abdicate leadership And every day, we- you AND me- make the same mistake… As we learned in kindergarten: She is in that position, she must be worthy of that position. Or she wouldn’t be in that position.

Speaking Truth to POWER POWER As we all learned in kindergarten, the bully on the playground is in a position of power, but he’s not a leader Cowardly Leaders have POWER! And AUTHORITY! But power is not leadership Cowardly Leaders are all about Power- they can issue orders… they can’t make you trust them HARDEST Responsibility You Will Ever Have as a Leader: Speaking Truth to POWER “Don’t confuse me with the facts…I’M IN CHARGE” Courageous Leaders do it Cowardly Leaders can’t/don’t/won’t Leadership is a choice- always have 2 choices “I know!” https://youtu.be/kkCwFkOZoOY One of reasons Truth to Power is so hard Success Always Takes Help https://youtu.be/J8t9xZdiEok EASIEST thing you’ll ever do as a Leader is: Tell the Truth

Be Courageous! Cowardly Leaders Courageous Leaders Are leaders Hypocritical Speak Truth to Power Are Fearful Are Fearful. So What? Sacrifice Others (eat first) Sacrifice Themselves (eat last) I lose if I don’t win I win when We win Do the right thing when seen Do the right thing Afraid of what might happen Afraid of what might not happen “You take this” “I’ve got this” Have power Are leaders

What’s It All Mean? Cowardly Leaders are stupid Wrong It’s what you do after you get there that counts. Leadership is a choice A 5-year old can make easy decisions. Easy isn’t leadership Don’t be the smartest person in the room The number one authority you have as a leader is your Moral Authority- GEN Mattis, Secretary of Defense Cowardly Leaders have little to no Moral Authority- Brad Chambers, Secretary of not much Your leadership is about character, follow-through, loyalty, transparency, keeping your word. Or Not. “Not” is where Cowardly Leaders reside.

Questions? For more information or to contact me: TheKellyGroupConsulting@outlook.com www.cowardlyleadership.com