On February 27, 1991, President George H. W. Bush announced the end of the first Gulf war. A college sophomore, I gathered a few friends and drove to downtown Cincinnati – to Fountain Square – about an hour from campus.
I wanted to celebrate. The city streets: lined with cheering people. I embraced strangers, trading stories. My brother: safe. The war: over.
My brother is a career army officer. His combat days ended with the first Gulf War. Shortly after that, he decided to pursue opportunities as an Acquisitions Army officer.
These days, he oversees the acquisition of vehicles for troops across the globe. He flies all over the world to evaluate the safety and efficacy of various vehicles, returning with traces of explosives on his clothes.
From Humvees to M-RAPs, my brother makes sure the service members on the field have what they need. He manages a hefty budget and directs a large staff of people in carrying out his leadership tasks.
Every organization needs leaders to plan for and provide necessary resources for work. Teachers need curriculum, computers, and basic supplies. Hospitals need medication, surgical tools, disinfectants, bedding, towels, gloves.
These supplies don’t appear magically. Instead, leaders plan for and purchase what’s needed. Because of their work, the rest of the people in the organization can fulfill their roles more easily.
Take some time to consider the resources your team needs to complete their job tasks. Who are the leaders in your organization who plan for and provide those resources? What can you do to support, encourage, and appreciate them for their important- but perhaps hidden – leadership roles?
This was originally posted at Mountain State University LeaderTalk and is reposted with permission.
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.