Abraham Lincoln, Horses, Generals and Servant Leadership?

General Colin Powell (former Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Army Brigadier General) recalled a story he heard the day he was promoted to brigadier general. 

In the story, President Abraham Lincoln receives a message during the Civil War saying a Confederate detachment captured a brigadier general and 100 horses.  President Lincoln said out loud "Sure hate to lose those horses".  

When asked about the brigadier general, he commented, "I can make a brigadier general in five minutes, but it's not easy to replace 100 horses."

“What it says is it’s the horses that count, it’s the troops that count, it’s the seals that count, it’s the sailors that count,” Powell said.  "Communicate the vision and give them everything they need to be successful."

Don't think that you are irreplaceable, none of us are.  Therefore, your number one priority each and every day should be taking an active role in development of your subordinates.  Agile uses the term "servant leader" to describe this type of behavior.  

Robert Greenleaf polularized the term over 40 years ago.  You can learn more about Servant Leadership here:  https://www.greenleaf.org/

Related story:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/general-colin-powell-horse-sense-gratitude-growing-two-holoman/