A few weeks ago, I attended Modern Woodmen of America’s quadrennial national convention in Orlando, FL. How interesting and exciting! Because we’re a fraternal financial services company, our members have a say in how the company is structured. That’s accomplished through delegates sent to the national convention to represent their chapters. Those delegates vote in members of the board of directors, and vote to approve the company’s bylaws, among other duties. It’s a super effective, inclusive business model that is all about service to our customers and their communities.
A Leader of Character
In addition to the business of the convention, we heard from a host of motivational speakers. Our first was an interview by our president, Jerry Lyphout, with former National Football League player and current co-anchor on Good Morning America and Fox NFL Sunday—none other than football hall-of-famer Michael Strahan. I’m not a huge sports fan or a watcher of Good Morning, America, so didn’t know what to expect. Wow—Mr. Strahan ran for a touchdown! After making a full page of notes, I knew there were plenty of lessons that needed to be widely shared.
Among the takeaways that I treasure are these:
- Respect all people as individuals regardless of their position or status.
- No one can want something for you more than you want it for yourself.
- Get out of your comfort zone if you want to excel.
You Have to Want It
But the lesson that gripped me firmest was this one: Discipline exceeds Desire. The words came from Mr. Strahan in response to President Lyphout’s question about whether he learned discipline from his father, who had served in the US Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division, or from internal drive. Mr. Strahan replied that he learned discipline from his father, but that he discovered it is internal drive that leads to success because “No one can want something for you more than you want it for yourself.” What a life lesson!
Habits are the Foundation
The next day, I was speaking with a couple of Modern Woodmen of America colleagues about the interview and Mr. Strahan’s lessons. One of our young up-and-comers, Managing Partner Zach McDowell of the Daniel Polk Region in North Carolina, offered his observation regarding the relationship between discipline and desire. He sagely explained how habits are the foundation upon which discipline is built. Habits instilled by parents, coaches, teachers, mentors, and others are the building blocks that consistently support the internal discipline necessary to overcome desire and yield success. I can’t say it any better. I’m proud to work with leaders of character like Zach McDowell and Daniel Polk, who model the way for others with good habits and discipline in service to their members.
Look in the mirror: The next time you face a decision in the workplace, think about whether you’re approaching the issue from a position where desire for an outcome dominates, or where discipline prevails.
Please join me again next time for more on Leading with Character.
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