January 23, 2024
by Stephen T. Messenger
One of the first things I was ever taught about leadership was to be present. An engaged leader is a successful leader, and to be present, you must put your feet on the ground to be near people and things under your responsibility.
Military Boots
In my 24-year military career, I’ve laced up my Army boots thousands of times, using different boots for different occasions: wet weather for rainy conditions, jungle in the swamps, jump for airborne operations, parade during ceremonies, chemical for hostile environments, and many others. Putting on a specific pair boots in the morning is an intentional act to face a specific challenge that day.
As leaders lace up their proverbial (or actual) boots, it should remind them of this first leadership principle: put boots on the ground. Leaders must walk around, be present, and engage their people. Leaders cannot not hide themselves away in their office, nor ignore others. They are present, connected, communicating, and known by their followers, peers, and partners both inside and outside of their organization.
We Were Soldiers
In 1965, Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore landed his helicopters in the Ia Drang Valley, the site of the first major battle between American and North Vietnamese forces.
Retelling the story, Hal Moore said, “I had told my men that I’m going to be the first man on the ground in any big battle we go into, and I am going to be the last one out.” True to his word, he was the first one in his battalion to put boots on the ground, memorialized in his book and subsequent 2002 film We Were Soldiers.
In this scene, you can see in him both the desire to be first on the ground and the importance of being with his unit. This allowed him to better understand the situation and make decisions as needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1CGh1tQw2g
If he was not leading his battalion into the fight, then he wouldn’t have realized there was no return fire as quickly as he did. His presence and direction on the ground saved both effort and ammo. He picked up more information subconsciously from being first off the chopper.
After the battle, Moore was the last man off the field after recovering every soldier in his unit. In his own words: “I’m going to bring you all home, and if I go down, I hope you’ll bring me home.” Moore understood the importance of leaders being the first ones on the ground, leading from the front, and the last ones out.
Can’t Win from the Sky
A World War II theory of victory was to conduct bombing campaigns against Germany to force them into surrender without landing an army onto the beaches of France. The idea was that if the Allies dropped enough bombs on the Axis Empire destroying their industrial capacity, resources, and will to fight, Germany would simply surrender.
This theory was proved wrong, and it took a D-Day Invasion and a march to Berlin to force German surrender. Wars are won and lost by soldiers physically taking ground.
In the same vein, leaders need to put their boots where their people are. They can’t lead their best from the comforts of their office (the equivalent of an air campaign), or the virtual distance of a Teams call. They’ll never know what’s truly happening on the ground until they’re physically there. Face-to-face leadership maximizes the presence, knowledge, understanding, and emotional connection necessary to make an impact.
Battlefield Circulation
The Army has a term called battlefield circulation, where leaders move about their area of operations and check on their soldiers and mission. The purpose is to get a true picture of what’s happening on the front lines. They can then return to the headquarters area and adjust plans and resources based on personal observations.
To others, there are few more powerful words than “I’ve been there.” Leaders must know and understand reality in their organizations rather than assume they know what’s happening. To “be there,” leaders should do the following:
- Circulate the Battlefield. Ruthlessly build in time to walk around, see people, and check resources. Your people need to know you’re out and about, and you need to engage with them. This precious time will gain you understanding and credibility far beyond any meeting you have in your office.
- Be in the Trenches. You need to understand what is happening where the rubber meets the road. Take time to do the same tasks your people do. Learn the nuances of people’s jobs. Be the leader who is on the front lines and truly understands the challenges others face.
- Talk to Everyone. Your people should know you, and you should know them. While it’s often impossible to get to everyone, the benefits from stopping and talking to others when walking around is invaluable. Each person has a unique perspective that can help shape yours.
On the other side, below are the three don’ts of battlefield circulation.
- Don’t: Overdo Office Time. There’s a necessity for office time – but it’s easy to go overboard. Time in the office can quickly go from productive to isolating. Don’t be the one who hides themselves away and is known for being disconnected with reality.
- Don’t: Only Talk to the Select Few. A common failure is to only engage with people who you think can benefit you. The reality is, everyone can help increase your understanding, whether inside or outside of the organization. Seek out people with different perspectives and viewpoints.
- Don’t: Walk by People. In the toughest challenge yet, we know you’re a busy person. Yet every time you walk by someone without saying hi, they notice. You’re the boss. They all know you, and it’s important to connect with them even if only for a moment.
Put Boots on the Ground
Leaders are engaged and understand the pulse of the organization. The best way to do this is by being the first on the ground, constantly circulating the battlefield, and the last one out.
When you lace up your boots (or loafers) first thing in the morning, this act should be a constant reminder to use your feet to connect with others and understand how to achieve mission success.
Put boots on the ground!
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