May 22, 2025

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This is a whirlwind of a week for many graduations. The end of the school year and the start of summer vacation pay much attention to future planning. The most important day is the following Monday, Memorial Day. As Memorial Day approaches, we pause to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who served and especially gave their lives in service to our nation. This day is about why we can celebrate graduations more than the unofficial start of summer, and planning for vacations. It is a solemn reminder of the ultimate price paid by so many for the freedoms we enjoy when planning our future after graduation or vacations. The service men and women we recognize for service, especially those who sacrificed their future for our future, provide us a moment to stop and reflect, and maybe choose behaviors that do not follow the current leadership model of division and disrespect. The legacy of those who served those who paid the ultimate price offers profound lessons for leaders in every sphere, reminding us that authentic leadership is rooted in the choice of service and sacrifice. Service and sacrifice are needed to build people up and unite to get things done to benefit all for causes bigger than ourselves.

Memorial Day commemorates those brave men and women who chose to give up their lives for our freedom in the United States. This is a special day, yet we should be every day to remember those who have sacrificed for us. It is also a special day to remember that military service requires many sacrifices. Being away from home, missing one’s loved ones, being in harm’s way, and being wounded and possibly disabled. These sacrifices should be commemorated in gratitude every day.

“Regardless of the type of sacrifice, every leader must be willing to make sacrifices because leaders are expected to pay the prices others won’t pay. That’s what makes you the leader!”

John Maxwell

This Thursday’s Leadership Insight shares the origins of Memorial Day and what makes a leader’s choice of service and sacrifice crucial to their leadership practice. This article concludes with seven of the many possible lessons leaders can reflect on and apply in their leadership in any organization.

The Origins of Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began in the aftermath of the Civil War—a conflict that claimed more American lives than any other, necessitating the creation of national cemeteries. In the late 1860s, communities across the country began holding tributes to fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and flags. The first national observance occurred on May 30, 1868, proclaimed by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. Over time, the holiday evolved to commemorate all U.S. military personnel who died in service. In 1971, Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May.

The Critical Need for Service and Sacrifice in Today’s Leaders Today

Leadership is not about titles or authority—it is about choosing to serve others and, when necessary, making personal sacrifices for the greater good. As leadership expert Chris Myers quotes in Matthew Mayberry’s article Leadership is Sacrifice: 5 Realities of Leading Effectively, “True leadership requires sacrifice, humility, and a commitment to a higher cause.” This echoes the ethos of our military, where leaders routinely put the needs of their teams and missions above their comfort and safety. Dr. Lucy Kiruthu further observes that “sacrifice and great leadership go hand-in-hand.” Whether in the military, business, or community, leaders who choose to serve and sacrifice build trust, inspire loyalty, and leave a lasting legacy.”

In an era marked by rapid change and uncertainty, divisive negativity leaders who embody service and sacrifice are more essential than ever.” Our United States Military has provided a rich tradition of service and sacrifice by all to accomplish objectives in chaotic, hazardous circumstances. This model of service and sacrifice in leadership has its roots in the foundation of the United States Army to the present. Interestingly, in the 1990s, the U.S. Military leadership developed an acronym to describe the changing landscape of military actions. That acronym is VUCA, which stands for V, volatile U, uncertain C, complex and A, and ambiguous contexts; that same acronym describes the leadership of any sector leader today. Bob Johansen, a futurist and one of the proponents of looking and leading in a VUCA world, along with others, also provided. The antidote that any leader would consider is VUCA Prime.VUCA Prime is a different configuration of the acronym, namely, V vision, U understanding, C clarity, and A adaptability. We see this dramatically in the missions carried out by our military and elite services such as Navy Seals. Leadership Expert Simon Sinek has worked extensively with the U.S. Military in a YouTube clip. Simon Sinek: Who makes the Navy Seals? Notes: Service and sacrifice are the significant traits in the selection to be an elite member.

Jonathon Westover, writing an article for the Human Capital Leadership Review entitled The Power of Selfless Leadership: Building a Culture of Service and Sacrifice, notes that Research shows that selfless leadership leads to higher engagement, increased satisfaction, and stronger organizational cultures. When leaders model service and sacrifice, they foster environments where teams are motivated to go above and beyond, mirroring the example set by our nation’s veterans.

Seven Leadership Lessons on Service and Sacrifice from our military that every leader can apply:

1. Lead from the Front. Great leaders never ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves. They set the example by being the first in and the last out, demonstrating commitment through action. As Simon Sinek says, “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge”.
2. Choosing service and sacrifice to put others above self. Leadership is about serving a purpose greater than oneself. This mindset creates a culture of mutual respect and dedication, both in the military and in organizations. Vietnam Prisoner of War John McCain could have been released as a propaganda move by North Vietnam, yet they refused, leading to him suffering years of torture and solitude.
3. Choosing service and sacrifice for the greater good. Whether it’s time, comfort, personal ambition, or personal safety, leaders must be willing to give up something for the benefit of others. Matthew Liskowski, in a LinkedIn article, Leadership Lessons Learned from the Ultimate Sacrifice, writes of the father he never met. Captain Andrew Lisowski sacrificed his life in 1970 by leading from the front and attempting to save a comrade; he embodies the ultimate sacrifice and inspires us to put our teams first.

“Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”

Dwight Eisenhower

4. Choosing to lead and build trust by acting with integrity and complete accountability, Dwight Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. He commanded the most massive invasion in history on June 6, 1944. He understood the implications and had to postpone the invasion one day from June 5 to June 6. He is often remembered for his D-Day speech, which reminded troops of their duty and service to free Europe as a crusade. Eisenhower wrote a second note to indicate possible distribution if the landings failed. “Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.” The second note is now a history trivia question. It is an example of service accountability and responsibility by leaders; he would have accepted total blame. Interestingly, he never took credit for the invasion’s success, as he credited those who served.

“I don’t see how the credit can go to anyone other than the company-grade officers and senior NCOs who led the way.”

D-Day Veteran Sgt John . Ellrery

5. Empower and Trust Your Team to Lead. Military leaders know that success depends on empowering others. By trusting team members and delegating responsibility, leaders foster ownership and drive better results. The military today emphasizes leadership training and continued growth as leaders. This practice promotes the belief that all members are leaders and connects the team members of a military unit. The strength of any military team is they can function if a commanding officer is injured or dead. In combat, casualties are inevitable, and there must always be a “next person up” mentality. This is why military units cross-train responsibilities and put service members in different situations. This “next person up “training was evident on June 6, 1944, during the D-Day Invasion of France. The late historian of the D-Day Invasion, Stephan F. Ambrose, cited in his D-Day Classic book D-Day The Climactic Battle of World War II, an interview with an invasion veteran named Sergeant John Ellery. Ambrose wrote that Ellerly concluded, “When you talk about combat leadership under fire on the beach at Normandy, I don’t see how the credit can go to anyone other than the company-grade officers and senior NCOs who led the way. “

This is the same for the leader in any organization.

“I never lost faith at the end of the story. I never doubted not only that I would get out but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.”

Admiral James Stockdale

6. Leaders who choose service and sacrifice and service improvise, adapt, and overcome.Leaders must stay resilient, flexible, and solution-focused in the face of adversity. Leaders sacrifice by choosing to be courageous to move forward when facing challenges. James Stockdale was the Highest-ranking pilot to be a prisoner of war in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. Stockdale survived self-inflicted wounds, so he could not be used for propaganda against the United States and subhuman conditions and torture. He survived, displaying realism of his condition and the stubborn hope to survive; Jim Collins, in Good to Great, described this behavior by a leader in service and sacrifice as the “Stockdale Paradox.” Leaders act in service to others, sacrificing the comfort of what is known for the uncertain possibilities. It also means there could be a failure. The leader committed to sacrificing their comfortable moderate success for moving to a better, possibly more sustainable future accepts their responsibility that failing is learning along the way to growth. They demonstrate the courage to stay the course despite the critics and skeptics. And the situation

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7. Leaders who choose to serve and sacrifice cultivate a personal and organizational legacy of service and sacrifice. The service and sacrifices of our military remind us to focus on causes bigger than ourselves in word and deed. Leaders who serve and sacrifice inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that strengthens organizations and communities for generations.

Conclusion

Great leaders serve and sacrifice in their leadership practice. This is underscored in the 2014 article for Lead Today by Georgina Stewart, The Importance of Sacrifice for Leaders. She writes about the power and importance of service and sacrifice by leaders .”In this modern world, there are not many who choose to become excellent leaders; there are many great politicians, executives, and managers out there, but very few choose to be excellent. Some of the greatest leaders only become this way due to sacrifices that they have made for others; this is something that all leaders should take into account when trying to improve their own leadership skills.” As we honor the service of our veterans and the memory of those who gave their lives for our country, let us also honor their example by leading with service and sacrifice. Whether in the boardroom, classroom, or community, the lessons of Memorial Day remind us that leadership is ultimately about giving of ourselves for the good of others.

Our Military has provided a model of service sacrifice in many ways, including the ultimate sacrifice of giving one’s life for a cause bigger than oneself. This sacrifice is a model to all who want to be excellent leaders. Their sacrifice is a daily source of our gratitude and learning.

The Leadership Question for you then is.

How do you model service and sacrifice in your leadership practice?