Life Lessons from Stacy

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” -Abraham Lincoln

I see this quote played out every day in my business. There is a special person that can be given leadership opportunities over another and use it for their edification and not their detriment. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and at Stratos, there is no tolerance for leaders who misuse power. I’ve seen people leave our organization when they realize they cannot use their team members as a means to an end. Personally, I like people to self select out when they find more value in managing people than leading people and helping them develop.

I hold those that are in leadership roles more accountable for their actions than I do the frontline team. The accountability has to be so high because we value how they treat their team. It’s so easy to push the blame and responsibility to others instead of turning the mirror around to themselves to ask, “What did I do to cause this person to fail?”

Power leads to options and choices, and it is the choices a leader makes that display his or her character. Every leader has the power to demand authority. But, it takes true character for leaders to exhibit service before self. The best use of power is in service to others. How are you serving your company’s people?