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Honor Without Envy

Written by: Gaylen Thornton

Article Overview: Aeschylus, one of the three great Greek writers of tragedy said, "It is the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered." Employees that know how to follow and support their managers, make good leaders. Without followers, contributors, supporters, and those willing to help when not receiving notoriety there are no leaders.

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Honor Without Envy

Aeschylus, one of the three great Greek writers of tragedy said, "It is the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered." Employees that know how to follow and support their managers, make good leaders. Without followers, contributors, supporters, and those willing to help when not receiving notoriety there are no leaders.

The famous orchestra conductor, Leonard Bernstein once was asked, "What is the hardest instrument to play?" Without hesitation Bernstein replied, "Second fiddle. I can always get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm or second French horn or second flute, now that's a problem. And yet of no one plays second, we have no harmony." So it is with any business, enthusiastic, self-motivated followers driven to accomplish great things make the organization successful.

An organization that is devoid of excellent leadership lacks strength and cannot move forward. Conversely, employees, who do not enthusiastically follow, and are envious of those who lead, can kill both progress and stability. Employees who genuinely subject their ego for the good of the organization are valuable and hard to find.

True employees choose to rejoice with those succeed rather than envy them move the company forward and their loyalty and contribution is incalculable. Once elevated to management positions these loyal employees continue to exhibit the same characteristic in their leadership role.

Followers support, understand, and work to insure the success of the leader's vision. Often the vision of the leader and the follower is in conflict and yet the exceptional follower will align themselves with the leader vision and work to make it happen. Followers can set up roadblocks or smooth the path by their work. A number of years ago I was fortunate to have a team of six district managers covering everything west of the Mississippi, including Illinois and Wisconsin. Each of these dedicated professionals were self- motivated, talented, creative and tireless in their efforts to grow the region business, which meant a 20% increase on sales for $20,000,000.

Tom Flynn, Lonny Worman, Cathi Scogin, Dick Delaney, Kathryn Armstrong, and Steve McCowan were model followers, providing energy, ideas, enthusiasm, and support to make the region, the AO West team, the number one team in the company. Each of the individuals could have been the leader of this group, however, it was my honor to be their region manager and receive accolades for the top region three years in a row. I was taught by first hand experience the truth of Aeschylus statement.

Tom, Lonny, Cathi, Dick, Kathryn, and Steve gave honor without envy and as their manager, I prospered. They choose to rejoice in the success of the team and each other rather than set up roadblocks and make it difficult to reach organization goals. Another great Greek, Solon, the first of the great philosophers who made Athens famous said, "He who has learned to obey will know how to command." When you have employees such as these treat them with the respect they deserve and value their contributions and watch your organization grow and prosper.

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Home > Sales > Gaylen Thornton > Honor Without Envy
Article Tags: aeschylus, district managers, follower, followers, french horn, good leaders, greek writers, leadership role, leonard bernstein, loyal employees, management positions, notoriety, orchestra conductor, roadblocks, s vision, second fiddle, second flute, violinists, vision of the leader, west of the mississippi

About the Author: Gaylen Thornton
RSS for Gaylen's articles - Visit Gaylen's website

Gaylen began his sales and marketing career in 1974 working with residential and commercial customers in the fence industry. He gained knowledge and expertise as a top sales professional from his National Sales Manager and Director of Sales positions for American Optical, Lehigh Safety Shoe Company and Varsity Contractors. Gaylen has extensive experience in working with residential and commercial property managers and REALTORS. This work includes home and commercial building repairs and improvements, cleaning and landscape care. This gives him a unique perspective to buying, selling and property management as well as how to take care of both commercial and residential facilities inside and out. Gaylen arrived in Arizona in 1996 residing in Scottsdale for 9 years, moving to Surprise 4 years ago. He is past president of the Mission de los Arroyos Home Owner Association and currently serve as the treasurer on the Ashton Ranch HOA Board of Directors. Gaylen has an extensive educational background having a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix, a broadcast degree from the Western School of Broadcast and is insurance licensed in Arizona and Utah along with his Arizona Real Estate license. Gaylen is a member of IFMA and BOMA both outstanding facility service organizations. Through education, career, and voluntary efforts, Gaylen has acquired a wealth of experience which gives you the "Selling or Purchasing Edge" in your real estate transaction or if you are in the market to enhance or maintain your commerical facility.

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