If you haven’t picked up a copy of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s new book Leadership: In Turbulent Times then I highly recommend it. I’m currently reading it and can’t put it down (okay, so I’m actually listening to the audiobook, but I still can’t turn it off!).
The author profiles four Presidents — Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. All four were very different people, living in different times, with different challenges. But all four had fascinating similarities, and she weaves their stories into a fascinating narrative.
One thing all four had in common was an intense work ethic. These guys were up earlier, to bed later, and never seemed to stop.
Which got me to thinking….do I have that kind of work ethic? And more specifically, must all leaders have an intense work ethic?
To the first question I came to the conclusion that no, I do not have the kind of work ethic these exceptional people had. Oh sure, I’m in the office before others and stay later, but I’m also around for every family event and take plenty of time off. Rarely do I miss dinner at home with D’Aun. And that’s been true for over 35-years. Yet somehow I still managed to do an awful lot in my life!
So that answers the second question, at least in part. No, you don’t need a crazy intense work ethic to be an effective leader. Maybe you do if you wish to be President someday, but that’s an outlier goal. Few of us aspire to such a position.
Of course a leader is still a servant to others, and a servant puts in the longest hours. We’re all leaders in some way, and we’re all going to have to go beyond expectations at some point. So it’s a balance, as most things are. Which is a healthy way to live.