It’s not always about the “flashy color” or the “motor hums”.
It is always about leading the right way.
I just connected in LinkedIn with a classmate from the US Naval Academy, and as we exchanged “hellos”, I ended our exchange with “go out there and be a red corvette!”
IYKYK - 37 summers ago, he and I found ourselves in what I’ll kindly call a “leadership accelerator” sponsored by the US taxpayers (thanks for that ya’ll). We were on an AstroTurf field, enjoying a morning workout with the majestic Severn as a backdrop, and a soundtrack right out of Yellowstone (the series) for dramatic effect. A stereo stampede of 1000 pairs of running shoes trying to keep up with a workout leader identified by a red shirt - the Red Corvette.
They were not always the fastest in the field, and some of them looked like they needed some paint work help from the “Graveyard Carz” crew (just saying). That said, they always paid attention to the Regiment on the field, and made every effort to get the very best out of each and everyone of us. They didn’t slow the pack to help the stragglers, and they avoided running at redline all the time, lest we blew a gasket. We had the rest of the daily activities ready to do that.
That summer, we learned that some days we had to follow the Red Corvette, and some days, we needed to be the Red Corvette, even if just within our teams or onto ourselves, to make sure that we all gave our best.
We are all at different stages of our professional careers, and we have had our fair share of opportunities to lead, or be led. When your next opportunity to lead presents itself; will you be a Red Corvette and lead the right way?
It’s awesome to be flashy, and it is great to have a 7.4L under the hood. We all need charisma and heart. Be steady, and conscious of those whom you lead, and make sure that you train individuals and teams so that they perform at their best.
As you look to the second half of the year, here are some suggestions to consider to best “overhaul” your team of Corvettes this summer:
Identify and train leaders and rising executives that have the fundamentals to be a Red Corvette - You can’t be the only one.
Upgrade them with the right after-market kits. Let’s face it, we all need continued education to be better than our “stock” version.
Let them lead a lap, or two, or more. Give your executives and leaders a chance to graduate from IC to leader. You’d be surprised how many want to, and have the skills; they just won’t ask.
*Recall as well that Corvettes also need a solid maintenance crew, and they need to be trained to lead as well.
Not sure that this is what Heinz Lenz was thinking about in “1991-4”, but beyond the awesomeness of a sweaty red cotton t-shirt, there was a lesson in leadership that lives on today. So go out there, today and always, and BE an awesome Red Corvette for your team.