MLK

Jan

2024

Four Leadership Principles from the Life of MLK

Each year when we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. I like to explore his leadership and share some leadership lessons we can learn. Dr. King was a true visionary and his approach to leadership has left a lasting impact on the world. His passion and vision were two of the most evident leadership qualities, but let’s explore what else we can learn.

Commitment

One of the most notable aspects of his leadership was his unwavering commitment to his cause. He was incredibly passionate about achieving equality and justice for all, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make that vision a reality. One example is the fact that he went to jail 29 times. This level of passion and dedication is something that every business leader can aspire to. When you are truly passionate about your business and your goals, it becomes much easier to inspire and motivate your team to achieve greatness.

Communicator

In addition to his commitment, Martin Luther King Jr. was also an incredibly effective communicator. He had a way with words that was both powerful and compelling. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech is a perfect example of this.

In his book Martin Luther King Jr. On Leadership Donald Phillips highlights a number of reasons why public speaking is crucial for a leader. A few that I think are critical to our leadership as leaders are:

Building support and enthusiasm
Inspiring people to take action
Keeping the team informed on the leaders actions
Educate, persuade and sell people on new ideas
Clearly identify the values of the organization¹

Composure

Another important aspect of Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership style was his ability to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity. Although he was thrown in jail 29 times, violently attacked, received threatening phone calls, and even his home was bombed,² he never wavered in his ability to maintain poised. As a business leader, you will face challenges and setbacks. By emulating Martin Luther King Jr.’s ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, you can lead your team through tough times with grace and confidence.

Strategic Planner and Organizer

Dr. King was a master of strategic planning and organizing. He mobilized thousands of people to participate in peaceful protests and marches, all with the goal of effecting change. As a business leader, it’s crucial to be able to plan and organize your team effectively in order to achieve your business objectives. Not only this, but like Dr. King, go with them as you execute the plan.

As you look at these four areas, which one do you need to grow in this week? Take time to think of one action step you can take to lead with greater commitment and composer or improve your communication and planning skills. Need help growing in your leadership? Contact me for a no cost to you coaching session. Lead well.

Phillips, Donald T. Martin Luther King Jr. On Leadership. Warner Books, NY. 1999.
https://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/events/king68/king68.htm#:~:text=King%20faced%20many%20obstacles%20while,and%20he%20was%20even%20stabbed retrieved 1/15/24

Jan

2023

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Communication

When you think about Martin Luther King Jr., what comes to mind?

An ambassador for civil rights.

A strong leader.

Maybe it is his “I Have a Dream” speech from the Lincoln Memorial.

Without a doubt, he was an excellent communicator, and that is a skill any leader must have. Because we are celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and his life on this day, I took time to watch some of his speeches¹, and here are a few principles we can gather from his communication. Read these and think of how you can apply them to your leadership.

Moral Authority

Dr. King was not a man to communicate, inspire and then sit back and watch others. He lived it out as well. Whether marching on Selma or seeing and experiencing the oppression he spoke against. Dr. King was sent to jail 29 times for civil disobedience or other charges like driving 30 in a 25.². These experiences gave him credibility and authority when he communicated. As leaders, are we communicating from experience or philosophizing?

Let me expand for a moment. We may not live out what we communicate perfectly, but are we on the journey? I may train how to communicate effectively with others during workshops, but I will admit my imperfections. Being on the journey and honest about your experience gives as much authority as “having been there.”

Passion

While preparing this, I started with Dr. King’s “March on Washington” speech. As I observed the speech, I saw he started reading his remarks for much of the time, and then as he shared his dream he was not reading. Whether reading or speaking more spontaneously, he was always passionate.

People are moved by emotion and often later justify their decisions with logic. I am not suggesting we communicate in a way that manipulates. But, if part of the job of a leader is to inspire, then we can not inspire with monotone communication. Bring your heart, bring your enthusiasm, and bring your passion. Some may not jump on board but don’t hide from your vision.

Connection

In his book Martin Luther King Jr. on Leadership, Donald Phillips examines Dr. King’s public speaking. He highlights the following principle from King’s communication:

“Speaking in the shared language of the community helps establish common ground with your audience.”

While listening to some of his speeches, I heard him trying to connect. For example, during his speech in Washington, he reminded the crowd of the oppression they experienced in different states by having firehoses shot at them or dogs let loose on them. He was attempting to connect with the people by reminding them of these circumstances.

Leaders must connect with those they are communicating with. One way is by finding common ground. If you are a leader and those you talk to feel you are “one of them,” you will struggle to connect and impact the lives of those you lead.

As you look at these three areas, what do you need to improve to communicate more effectively? Need help understanding your communication style? Go here to invest in a Maxwell DISC Personality Indicator to understand your communication style and help you connect better with those you lead. Lead well!

https://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/article/2018/04/5-of-martin-luther-king-jrs-most-memorable-speeches retrieved 1/8/2023
https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-martin-luther-king-jr#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20King%20Center,mile%2Dper%2Dhour%20zone. retrieved 1/8/2023

Jan

2022

Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Part III

For the past couple years on Martin Luther King Day I have highlighted principles from Donald T. Phillip’s book Martin Luther King Jr., On Leadership. (You can see the previous posts here and here) King was a tremendous example of a transformational leader we can learn many lessons from.

Since I have been focusing on goals and growth over the past couple weeks, I thought I’d explore what Phillips learned about how King approached goals. Phillips stated:

“A detailed plan of action, accompanied by specific goals, serves to mobilize people toward the future. It provides much-needed context and purpose for members of the organization. It helps unify people, motivate them, focus their talent and energy.”

There is a lot to unpack in this statement and I will focus on a few ideas.

Detailed Plan of Action

“We need a chart. We need a compass. Indeed, we need some North Star to guide us into a future shrouded with impenetrable uncertainties.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

King understood he could provide all the vision in the world and have a dream, but without a plan to help them chart the course he would only inspire.

Leaders are people of action.

Leaders navigate for their people.

Leaders are like the captain on the ship out at sea navigating the course into the unknown. They see where they want to be, but they must also provide a path for the people around them.

I would suggest at times the course may simply be the next step. In times of constant change and turmoil as leaders have experienced in recent years it may be impossible to chart a long-term plan so plan as clear and far as possible the next best steps.

Specific Goals

Have you ever tried shooting baskets on a backboard with no rim attached? Your motivation fades quickly. Just like the hoop provides a specific goal and motivates people playing basketball, specific goals provide a target for those you lead. Part of Martin’s philosophy around goal setting was:

“Find something that is so possible, so achievable, so pure, so simple . . . so basic to life that even the [extremists] can’t disagree with it all that much.”

I know I have encouraged us to focus on growth over goals and I still mean that. Goals give us a target and the challenge is to enjoy the process of pursuing and learning while pursuing the goal. When leading a group, find a goal that is clear, simple, specific, and resonates with as many people as possible. This clarity helps with the final idea.

Context and Purpose

“In any movement, you have to have some simple demand around which you galvanize forces.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

King let those he led know they were not entering an easy battle as he laid out the plan and goals for their march on Birmingham. He recognized he had to have a clear plan and goal that would give people the answer to the most important question:

WHY?

When those we lead know the leader has a clear plan with a reasonable goal their confidence increases. Their resolve increases the more they agree with the goal. As a leader take the time to know your plan and your goal for what you want your team to accomplish. As the team understands these, many will be strengthened to continue to march with you toward accomplishing the goal.

What is your plan and goal for your team over the next week, month, year? Is it clear in your mind so you can clearly communicate it to them? If not, take time to get it clear today so you can accomplish together what you are seeking to accomplish. Need help thinking into this? Contact me for a no cost to you coaching session. Lead Well.

Jan

2021

Learning from Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Part II

Last year I shared a blog with a few leadership lessons I learned from Donald T. Phillips’ book Martin Luther King Jr. On Leadership. I am doing the same again this year and sharing a few more principles he highlighted on how to lead.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of vision who peacefully championed change in a very turbulent time. This is what leaders often must do. Phillips put it this way:

“[H]e was not only an optimistic individual (as great leaders are), he was also persistent, determined, and had an eye focused on the future. Even more important. . . . Martin was a lifelong continuous learner.”

In this one statement I see four traits we can all develop to increase our leadership effectiveness.

Optimistic

In their fight against the oppression of the day specifically at one point in Albany “5 percent of the Negro population” went to jail. Instead of being angry, King’s optimism shone through. He said how extraordinary the response was that five percent would willingly go to jail for a just cause. As leaders we must be realistic and accept the difficulties that come, but what is the positive in the situation?

During a pandemic many may paint a bleak picture, but the optimistic people have seen opportunities and capitalized on them. They provide new services, create new businesses, form new service organizations and meet needs that were not previously present. King saw the willingness of people to go to jail for a just cause as positive momentum in the movement.

Persistent

I shared in one of my weekly videos an example of my son’s persistence in pursuing something he really wanted. I’ve heard leadership expert John Maxwell say “everything worth having is uphill.” I find this is true. Whether it be a personal or professional goal there will be an uphill climb to reach it and leaders must have the determination to persist.

King must have realized this as he faced resistance to the idea of peacefully fighting for civil rights. Whether it was within or outside of public view King persistently championed the cause as all leaders must do.

Vision

What keeps one fighting and pressing forward amidst such adversity? Keeping an eye focused on the future. King had a dream of what the world would be like one day and that dream must have remained constantly at the forefront of his mind. If you are in a position of leadership or are championing a cause this focus on the future must remain. Leaders who lose this focus quit because the climb becomes unbearable.

Lifelong Learner

“Not all readers can be leaders. But all leaders must be readers.”

Harry Truman

What makes the above statement and Phillip’s statement about King’s lifelong learning being more important so true? An effective leader sees situations from multiple perspectives in order to make the best decision for all. This requires a learner’s mindset. Listening to multiple voices and reading multiple sources can inform a leader so he or she has more insight before making decisions.

Maybe you have heard the statement “experience is the best teacher.” Experience teaches, but only when we evaluate and learn from it. King continually sought to learn from both successes and failures to grow and move himself and the cause forward.

These are only a few lessons learned from this legendary leader. How are you doing in these areas? Is there one of these areas you need to intentionally grow in? Want an objective evaluation of your team and leadership? Contact me to discuss a facilitation of The Leadership Game to open communication and grow your team and leaders in your organization. Lead Well.

Jan

2020

Leadership Lessons from MLK Jr.

Go into any major city and you see his name on a street. Not only did he live a life of great character, but he serves as an example of leadership during turbulent times.

This past year I read the book Martin Luther King Jr. On Leadership by Donald T. Phillips. Not only was this an excellent book to gain a new perspective on this time period, but also he highlighted key leadership principles from his life.

“The greatest channel to peace . . . [involves] talking about problems. . . For as long as we have men, we are going to have differences. And it seems to me we can disagree without being disagreeable.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Handling Team Conflict

During King’s life there was tremendous turbulence surrounding civil rights. Not only were there differences in the nation, but consensus was not always the norm within his team. As a leader he created an environment conducive to debate and discussion. A key to this was his role.

As the leader he asked many questions and according to Phillips attempted not to take sides. Leaders who feel they have all the answers close themselves off from learning and getting to the best idea. When all participants in the team dialogue in a healthy manner then the best solution is more likely to surface.

Lead People by Listening

Phillips describes the march on Selma and discusses how King sought to be one of the people among the march willing to experience all they were experiencing. What made him do this? King understood effective leaders must understand the people. We understand by listening to their needs and experiencing life with them.

Leaders limit their effectiveness if they hide in the office or isolate themselves from those they lead. Leadership is a people engagement process. As a leader one must interact, listen, and set plans, goals, and strategies according to the needs they learn.

“In order to maintain their position out in front, and to remain effective, leaders must also often follow the direction of others. In short, they must lead by being led.”

Donald Phillips

CIO

No, I am not talking about Chief Information Officer. Leaders provide information, but Martin Luther King Junior was a Chief Inspiration Officer. He understood that leadership was more about inspiring people than organizing them and giving them direction. This is most clearly demonstrated when he shared his dream with thousands before him while at the Lincoln Memorial.

Leaders have dreams and that dream is fueled by passion and that passion is contagious. Some will love the dream and join and some will not. The inspiration must be in us and when we allow it to overflow from us people will be attracted to us and join in fulfilling the dream.

These are only a few lessons learned from this legendary leader. How are you doing in these areas? Are you inspiring those you lead . . . are you personally inspired? How do you handle your team? Do you listen and encourage productive conflict? Want an objective evaluation of your team and leadership? Contact me to discuss a facilitation of The Leadership Game to open communication and increase leadership discussion in your organization. Lead Well.