Pass It On

It was their final training jump. As the commanding officer, he was the last one off the plane. He had to hit the ground and run a short distance in order to graduate. He had trained his troop well, and each one landed and ran.

As fate would have it, his landing was extra hard, and he hurt his leg badly. When he got up, he could barely stand, let alone run. His men saw his distress and immediately ran to his aid, helping him complete the run. They were not going to let their leader fail.

The commitment to help another succeed was a lesson he had passed on. There were many other traits, values, and skills he had conveyed. He instinctively taught others and was a role model. William was a ranking officer, a clearly designated leader. Many leaders do not understand who views them as a leader, watching, learning, copying.

For years I have called this “passing the mantle of leadership”. Historically, a mantle was a special garment ceremoniously bestowed upon royalty as a symbol of authority. I have heard this story time and time again from leaders as they recall the moment when they felt the privilege and responsibility of leadership had been placed upon their shoulders.

It does not happen to everyone, but it is a profound experience for those it does. Most often, it is given by a person who is a recognized leader, either by others or the recipient. It is not a tangible elaborate garment, but a weaving of words and actions which bestow the title of leader upon another. When this happens, there is a moment when the significance of this event is absorbed by the recipient.

Sadly, it does not happen to everyone who is a leader, and sometimes it is given very late in life. I believe it to be a privilege, even a responsibility, for leaders to perform this act in whatever way suitable and pass it on, a leader validating another leader. Leaders creating leaders. It may seem unimportant, but I tell you, It changes lives.