Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers. Gen. Colin Powell
When my husband took our 3rd grader to the daddy and daughter dance earlier this year, I said, I wish I could go to a daddy and daughter ball too. Guess what ? I just did!
This weekend, my dad and I had the great privilege of attending the Dallas Military Ball http://www.dallasmilitaryball.org/ . The Dallas Military Ball is an annual black tie affair. It gives an opportunity to have a unified military voice for the greater Dallas/Fort Worth community. The organization is dedicating to honoring the active and retired military personnel, to salute those who are serving, thank those who have served and pay tribute to those who make the ultimate sacrifice.
This is the time when ALL of the Dallas/Fort Worth military community takes the time to come together and give recognition to brave people who sacrifice and perform services for our country. Actions that most of us will never even know. They do it with honor and a love of country that is amazing. The guest of honor for the Ball’s 45th anniversary is Admiral Michael g. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Mullen is gracious, approachable and a true leader. This great simplifier showed respect and made a point of connecting personally with us. President of the Ball, Capt. Phil Resch of the Navy made it a point to come by tables to simply greet everyone.
The joint event honored some great leaders. The Dallas Military Ball presented Meritorious Service Award to Plano’s U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars as a U.S. Air Force pilot, including seven years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi after being shot down.
It also presented the Meritorious Service Award to Retired Lt. Col. James “Maggie” Megellas, the most decorated soldier from the 82nd Airborne in WWII and the original model for the G.I. Joe action figure. Maggie Megellas told the audience how he went back to Vietnam two years ago to see how the country had changed at the age of 89. He marveled at the simple fact that the young soldiers accepted him as one of their own, despite the age difference.
The leaders all seemed to share a simple message. “We are one in our love of country, love of family and a desire to help our brothers and sisters of service. “
I’m one of the lucky ones. Since a child, I’ve been able to see this simple message and a devotion to the love of country, family and service every day. My father, Retired Col. Byron R. Byars, Jr. was a reservist who went on active duty each year. An engineer , he always had a job related with keeping our country safe. And, like the other honorees, he never made much of the work or commitment. It was simply what he did and did it without complaining. Also, interesting was that while my dad served in the Army he knew so much about and respected the other services.
Also, not big surprise. The Dallas Military Ball distributes excess proceeds to military community and military relief organizations. A simple message again. They help take care of those who serve and their families. Wow.
What are you doing to become a great simplifier so that you can become an even greater leader?
Journey On!
Linda
