If you walk into my office you will see a framed picture of Braveheart, William Wallace, hanging on my wall next to the table where I meet with many entrepreneurs. Aside from Braveheart being one of my all time favorite movies, the picture is a conversation piece, and an opportunity for me to articulate to entrepreneurs some of the virtues of great leaders. Now that we are post Mel Gibson meltdown, the serious conversation is usually followed by a few jokes. Anyway, Wallace fought for Scotland's freedom from Britain in the early 1300's and ultimately was turned in by his own and executed. Wallace was a great leader, not because he was a martyr, but because he led his people into every battle. He never asked his men to do anything he would not do himself. Great leadership can apply to military leadership, educational leadership, as well as leadership in start-ups, and it's equally important in every aspect. Jesus was another great servant leader in history. One of my favorite quotes in the Bible was in Luke when "Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people. ’But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Luke 22:25-26
It is especially important to be a servant leader early on in a start-up. Doing so will create the culture necessary for success. Employees will follow you if you are there with them on the front lines. They will observe the little things...if your programmers are working late to meet a deadline, be there with them. Support a sales guy on the direct line. Pick up a customer service call from time to time. Share all financial information with your people. Serving your employees will build respect, and they will run through walls to succeed with you.
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