“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 (NIV)
Through my time in the military I worked for many outstanding leaders. They all had one trait in common: noble character.
I recall one of my battalion commanders following a tragic accident involving two soldiers in our unit who died in a horrible one-car accident. They were drunk, driving too fast, and smashed into a tree. This occurred on the backside of our military reservation.
Unknown by anyone in our battalion except the commander, he took us on a long run, stopping at the very spot the accident had occurred. He spoke for about three or four minutes. As he talked, I sensed deep sorrow for the dead soldiers, but just as much, the love he genuinely felt toward the rest of those paratroopers. He wasn’t faking concern.
This was just one of many times when I saw this leader show his love. Sometimes it was tough love, but for sure, he was following the Golden Rule.
He treated his soldiers, regardless of rank, as he would have wanted to be treated.
Are you a leader who practices the Golden Rule?
The content of this Devotional comes from “Daily Strength for the Battle (You, God’s Word, 5 Minutes): Volume 6 Developing the Leader in You” (2020) and is copyrighted by Scott and Judy McChrystal. Used with permission.
