Why Smart Leaders Seek Counsel and Recruit a Wingman
/Dear Bill,
When I walked into this office just know I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.
I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described. There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I'm not a very good one to give advice; but just don't let the critics discourage you or push you off course. You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our country's success. I am rooting hard for you.
Good Luck, George
That is the letter that George H. W. Bush left on January 20, 1993, to Bill Clinton during Clinton's transition to the presidency. Many presidents have followed the practice of leaving a letter of encouragement and advice to their successor.
While it is customary for a departing president to leave a letter of advice for the incoming president, this is not customary for a departing school administrator, nor is it common for the incoming leader to seek guidance from the successful leader they’re succeeding. That is unfortunate, as both practices would benefit the new leader and the school he or she leads.
The scriptures tell us that wisdom lies in many counselors (Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, 24:6). One of your best sources of wisdom is the effective leader who came before you. They were successful for a reason and possess a wealth of knowledge that can prevent you from making mistakes and guide you toward success. Squandering this resource is like winning the lottery but refusing to claim your prize.
Assuming the former leader is available and willing, there are two reasons why an incoming leader may not seek the advice of the prior successful leader: fear or pride.
The fear is that consulting the former successful leader will somehow diminish or overshadow one’s leadership and credibility. This fear is unfounded. Seeking advice is not relinquishing your leadership; it is a way to strengthen it. Every school has its landmines. The former leader will know where the landmines lie and help you avoid stepping on them. He or she is also aware of the sacred cows, who the most influential people are, (they are not always those holding formal positions of authority), who the trouble-makers are, and what has and has not worked in the past. Take advantage of this knowledge and wisdom.
The other reason for not seeking advice from the previous successful leader is pride. 1 Kings 12:1–1 recounts the story of King Rehoboam, who succeeded King Solomon. Can you imagine following Solomon!? One would think that Rehoboam would be smart enough to learn from those who had advised King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, but he did not. He chose instead to follow the advice from the young men who had grown up with him (1 Kings 3:12, 12:8). The advice he received, and his subsequent response to the people, was filled with pride:
And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’thus shall you say to them, my little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king said, “Come to me again the third day.” And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him, he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions” (1 Kings 12:10–14).
The Scriptures warn, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Don’t allow pride to keep you from soliciting the advice of the successful leader who came before you.
In one school I led, I scheduled a monthly lunch meeting with the former head of school. We enjoyed a good lunch and warm fellowship. I made a habit of covering three things during our lunch: 1) I kept him updated on my progress and initiatives, 2) I shared any challenges I was facing and sought his advice, and 3) I asked for his insights on my leadership and any suggestions he may have. My meetings with him were invaluable.
Seeking the advice of the former successful leader honors that leader and pleases the Lord. It also sends a powerful message to the community. That message is that you are wise enough and humble enough to listen and learn from those who came before you. The result will be increased credibility, trust, and respect for your leadership. You will be more successful as a result. You will gain much and lose nothing in mining the wisdom gained from the successes, mistakes, and many years of experience of the successful leader who came before you.
Find Your Wingman
I learned over the years the importance of recruiting a “wingman.” A wingman is a pilot who flies alongside the leader of a flight formation, offering protective support and backup. The wingman acts as a second pair of eyes, ensuring the safety and success of the mission by covering the lead pilot’s rear and flanks.
You need someone to cover your rear.
Your wingman is someone discreetly supportive who stands by you whenever someone tries to undermine your decisions or leadership. The ideal wingman is a person of impeccable character who offers constructive criticism, wise advice, and unwavering belief in you. They’re widely respected by school leaders and the entire school community. This person might be a former leader, a trusted board member, a member of your senior team, or someone else. The crucial thing is having someone watch your back and support you when others seek to undermine you, your decisions, or your reputation. Your wingman is someone you trust implicitly to protect you from those who seek your harm.
Find a trusted wingman. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.