Here are four brilliant traits from some of history’s greatest leaders like Gene Kranz, John F. Kennedy and Sam Budnyk.
Aim
The world’s greatest leaders aim to reach far beyond convention standards. Greatness isn’t achieved by aspiring for mediocrity, but reaching for the moon (figuratively). In the year 1962, JFK left humanity with memorable lines “…we choose to go the moon in this decade not because they are easy, but because they are hard…” The best leaders don’t just aspire for something that can be easily achieved. If you aim for mediocrity, all those surrounding you will achieve the same thing. However, if you aim for greatness, you will more likely achieve a greater level than what you can reach. Strive for greatness.
Plan
Aspiration without proper planning is simply a dream. In order to materialize goals, you will need a plan of action. On the year 1944, the Allies didn’t just tell themselves, “It is time to take back Europe from the Axis”. They had a plan. In real life, the plan was developed for months; and it was one of the most detailed and carefully planned in the history of military.
Inspire
Before executing a plan, you must inspire the people around to achieve according to the plan. We don’t need iconic military leaders to show us this point. People can look to their local heroes and leaders to mentor them daily. Coach Budnyk believed in the people who played for him. For fifty years, he challenged his people to rise to every occasion and be the best they can be. Inspire your men to act on the plan.
Execute
In the end, you must execute your plan to achieve the goal. On April 1970, the Apollo 13 was launched from Cape Kennedy. But three days after the launch, one of the oxygen tanks exploded and crippled the spacecraft. NASA director Gene Kranz and his team aimed to bring the wrecked craft back home. His team aimed, planned and brought Apollo 13 back to the Earth successfully.
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