Servant Leadership: Little Things Go a Long Way

We often talk about servant leadership in lofty and nebulous terms, but sometimes it comes down to what we do daily and how it affects those around us. I received this note recently from a sailor that references an interaction over a decade ago, when I had command of the USS San Jacinto (CG-56):

I will always remember my first day on the San Jac—you asked me if I had gotten my rack situated and already ate to make sure my needs were cared for! Then you asked me where I got my tattoos from and said you were thinking about getting one yourself (lol) and asked my opinion on it! I was blown away with the hospitality that was shown that day not just from you but on down throughout the chain of command!

It got me to thinking about other servant leadership ideas I have collected from commanding officers (COs) over the years. I posted the interaction and an initial list on LinkedIn and received a long list of ideas that seemed worth sharing. Here are a few of the ideas, ones that any leader can pick and choose from to show your folks that you are invested in them. Can you add to the list?

• Take a selfie with new sailors and text it to their parents with a note that they made it safely to the ship.
• Send a note, a card, or email to each crew member on their birthday. Attach a 24-hour liberty chit for that day.
• When you give someone an award, make a copy for their spouse.
• Invite families to award ceremonies and have photos of the event e-mailed to them.
• Create a “Sailor of the Day” program; give them a CO coin and one wish—a special meal, ride in the boat, etc. (within reason).
• Carry a Navy Achievement Medal in your pocket; if someone does something extraordinary during the drill or evolution, pin it on them and sign the paperwork later.
• Host a birthday meal in the wardroom for all sailors who have a birthday in the past month.

Some Of the Replies to the Post

•  Tell every sailor in your command indoctrination to pull out their phones and show you a picture of something or someone that makes them get up in the morning. Sit for two minutes with each of them and tell them how beautiful their dog or kids are and show them embarrassing pictures of your punk kids. The most miraculous part of this is as you move through the room, as a commander, they will all loosen up and start showing their pictures to each other as you finish up. They are now more than just another shipmate to one another. It will be the best part of your day and they will remember it far longer than you will. (Erik Quarles)
• My wife still has a few CO personal notes addressed to her over the course of my Navy career. Thirty-five–plus years and still active duty and she kept them; clearly matters and the simple and touching sentiments were important. Some of the GREAT COs I was privileged to serve with clearly understood the importance of Navy extended family. An integral member and key component of our Navy’s retention team! (Terry Patterson)
• At the end of deployment we held a surf and turf meal for the crew in the galley. Brought down silverware and plates from the wardroom. The CS’ had the night off. From the scullery to the galley we did the evening meal. The crew was served to their specific order while in civvies surrounded by their friends. We were in blues and waited on them like in a restaurant. (William Palmer)
• Best advice I ever received from former CO: Know yourself, know your job, know your people, know their job, and take care of your people. This was on the day I was selected as the 1982 SOY at NavSecGruAct. He was the best CO I served under (Clyde Wilson).
• My CO used humor as a way to make serious things seem fun. . . . I was riding a ship as a tech rep; the film Idiocracy was playing on site TV at dinner and as he made your post sea and anchor announcement to the crew, he introduced me to the crew in the same way that the fictional president from the movie introduced Joe” we got this guy, Paul Jackson, and he’s gonna fix everything.” The mess decks roared with laughter. I always admired the effect he had on that crew. Through a really tough INSURV, the effects of that servant leadership showed. (Paul Jackson)
• Had an old command master chief who would go to the shop of a chief and quiz the crew about a great naval leader who was born on that day. We kept guessing and trying to figure out who he was talking about. When we gave up, he says it was our chief. He was absolutely right! (Carl Berry)
• My favorite sea service leader was a Marine Captain who was my Naval Academy company officer. He had a Hero of the Week recognition every Friday. The heroes were called out of formation, recognized, and sprinkled with a bit of sand he’d collected on Iwo Jima. Sometimes the hero had done something widely recognized as a big deal like becoming a team captain, being selected for major leadership roles, or earning a 4.0. But he also called out as a hero a hard working mid who had struggled with grades and was SAT (passing) in all classes for the first time in several semesters. (Lisa Reilage)
• I gave out cigars and once in a blue moon I awarded a hard charger the K-Bar award. (Duncan Southhall)
• A little mindfulness of the fact that the guys turning the screws are people goes much further than the extra “burden” incurred. The benefits of that seed sown will be reaped over and over again by the willingness of sailors to give their best because of that connection to leadership…and its little stuff that can happen at all levels of leadership if we add just a little bit of creativity and make it a part of a larger culture of give a sh**t! You know the old ship, shipmate, self! Awesome story. (Wesley Dickey)
• I gave up my DH parking spot for the first week of every month to a sailor/my CPOs/LCPO who did a great job over the course of a month. We would recognize that sailor at quarters and I would walk a little further while they enjoyed rock-star parking. (Donald Henshaw)
• Admiral James Caldwell wrote a very thoughtful note for my kids when I retired. One phrase that always stuck with me: “Some people think that one person can’t make a difference. Your father DID, and the country is better for it.” Knowing the admiral like I did, the gesture didn’t surprise me at all. (Matthew Metz)
• I always told new sailors they had to do three things to be successful:
  • • Wear your uniform with pride
    • Do your job
    • Be on time

  While these things sound intuitive, doing these things often set sailors apart from their peers. (Dale Morse)

• As executive officer on a hydrofoil, I would sometimes relieve the sailor washing dishes after chow so he could watch the evening movie with his shipmates. My crew got a big kick out of that, and it cost me next to nothing. When I needed to lean on them, they understood that I also had their welfare in mind. (Keith Green)

One of commentor supplied the perfect ending to this article:

• Too bad all we see in the media is the erosion of leadership in the Navy. I know it’s still there. I know there are trusted stalwarts in the Goat lockers, Mustangs, and JOPA out there doing what they can to shore up the battered bulkheads and main masts of our beloved Navy. No matter how dark the clouds or how rough the seas, leaders will survive the political inquests and rise to guide you. HOLD FAST! (JJ Morell)

One final note—I got the tattoo!