I have been around a lot of discussions about leadership lately. In consecutive weekends, our board had its annual retreat and then I attended the California Lawyers Association leadership conference. And, as referenced below, the San Diego County Bar Association launched its leadership academy, a project that has been years in the making. During one of my many conversations, somebody solicited some leadership secrets, a phrase that triggered my memory of a fun read from many years ago.
No, Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun will probably not be the textbook for an MBA class. I suspect that it may not even make the suggested reading list for the aforementioned academy. But it does offer an interesting historical perspective and some valuable lessons. Perhaps my favorite takeaway from the book was how Attila changed culture.
At the time, relationships with the Hunnish horde blew hot and cold. To foster unity, Attila stopped rewarding personal achievements, and instead began rewarding those whose behaviors reflected loyalty to national objectives. Chieftains who did not get on board with the concept of moving in one direction were removed from office. This approach ended the instability that would occur as different leaders would rise and their interests in collaboration waned.
The big takeaways for me were this. Leaders should carefully assess what behaviors they are rewarding. Eventually, people will discover the shortest path to those rewards. Also, whereas task-based work gives immediate purpose, enduring loyalty requires belief in the bigger cause. So, it is imperative for leaders to make sure that the members understand what the organization stands for.
With that in mind, I am confident that our board left its retreat dedicated to serving the same mission. And even if you do not participate in everything the San Diego County Bar Association has to offer, I hope that you will each likewise appreciate what that mission is: to connect lawyers and support their success and fulfillment.
Yours,
David Majchrzak
2022 SDCBA President