Flank riders are the key to keeping a herd tight and on the trail. But without tail riders, a good tally man, night wranglers, a jigger boss, circle riders, cow boss, good cow horses and durable gear, the best flank riders can’t keep the herd from scattering. And they can’t do the round up, the branding, or turn a herd into ranch profits. It’s a team effort.

Folks have a tendency to forget this simple truth. And that is why projects with great promise fall short, why some presidents are mediocre at best, and why some communities just can’t capitalize on the international popularity of Route 66 or the fast approaching Route 66 centennial.

Leadership In Turbulent Times

Recently I began reading Leadership in Turbulent Times by Dorris Kearns Goodwin. The book chronicles the diverse leadership styles displayed by four extraordinary presidents. Goodwin traces the evolution of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Rossevelt and Lyndon Johnson in a series of detail rich short stories.

Be it a president, a community organizer, or CEO, real leadership is a rarity. Real leadership recognizes the importance of flank riders. And real leadership provides inspiration, unites rather than divides, and accepts responsibility for when things go right, and for when they go wrong.

Leadership Principles

I have been pondering more than a few points from this book, and how they relate to developing a sense of Route 66 community and community purpose.

• Keep your word
• Put ambition for the collective interest over self interest
• Lead by example
• Forge a team with aligned action and charge
• Never select team members just because they agree with you
• Select team members based on abilities not allegiance to you
• Combine transactional and transformational leadership
• Be accesible
• Transcend personal vendettas and refuse to let past resentment fester
• Control anger and set a standard for mutual respect and dignity
• Assume full responsibility for decisions made
• Shield collegagues from blame
• Maintain perspective while being blamed or receiving accolades
• Understand the emotional needs of team members
• Anticipate contending viewpoints
• Acknowledge when failed policies demmand a change in direction
• Gather firsthand information and ask questions
• Make time to think and study
• Use history to develop perspective
• Evaluate options and be ready to adapt
• Share credit
• Inspire a sense of shared purpose and direction

Flank Rider

Not everyone is meant to be a leader. Some people are destined to be flank riders. Problems arise when the flank rider gets it in their head that they are supposed to be the trail boss, or that they run the herd alone.

And a long rope isn’t worth much if everyone cuts out a piece for themselves. But when folks use their ropes as one, it’s easier to get the pig out of the mud.

That takes me to a final thought on leadership. Selecting and supporting leaders soley because they agree with us, or they tell us what we want to hear, is worse than not having a trail boss.