I grew up in the Midwest. My father flew the American flag every day at our house. In fact, my dad was so proud to be an American that he installed a flagpole in our front yard. This flagpole wasn't small. It was the kind of pole that you would see at a public library or school. For as long as I can remember, I watched my dad raise the flag each morning and bring it down each night. 

Part of my upbringing included understanding the importance of the flag and all that it represents. Today, the flag is being used in bringing recognition to a much-needed issue in America, the racial divide. That is an important conversation, and I am in support of raising this awareness so that we can have a perfect union. 

I hope that all leaders as they reflect and think about this issue, they also learn a little about leadership. In fact, as a boy at the feet, my father taught important lessons about the flag that has shaped my habits and behaviors about leadership. Truth be told, the American Flag taught me a lot about leadership.

What The American Flag Taught Me About Leadership: 

1. Finish Tasks Each Night

It is an American flag protocol that flags unless properly lighted should be taken down at dusk. This principle reminds leaders that they should finish tasks each day. Great leaders don't put off tasks; they get them done and move on. Parkison's Law states that our projects and tasks expand to the time that we give them. A great leadership habit is to finish tasks before sunset. 

Leadership Question: Have you developed the bad habit of giving tasks and projects longer than they needed? 

2. Don't Let Important Balls Drop 

It is an American flag protocol that the flag must not touch the ground. The flag is to be respected, and therefore, when it is being taken down, particular attention is to be given to ensure that the flag never touches the ground. Leaders must learn the principle that some tasks and projects are so important to the organization that they simply cannot be dropped. The leader must convey the essentiality of the tasks to their team so that the whole group can focus all of their attention on seeing the task come to completion. 

Leadership Question: What balls have been dropping in your company that is too important to the success of the organization?

3. Know the Proper Order of Things 

It is an American flag protocol that the American flag should always be flown above the state or local flags. This principle taught me to know the proper order of things. Many leaders hurt their leadership because they don't know where to focus or in what order to accomplish tasks. Steven Covey used this principle in his book, "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" when he taught the principle "First Things First." The leader always needs to know the proper order of things. 

Leadership Question: Does your team know the order of the priorities that you have as a leader?

4. Focus Your Attention 

My father taught me that when the National Anthem was sung, I should face the flag and stand at attention with my right hand over my heart. This principle is being challenged today, but this principle taught me about the focus of attention. Some things are so important that the leader must give all of their attention to it. This is an important leadership lesson. Many leaders hurt their leadership because they lack focus and attention. Many leaders become less effective leaders because they are trying to do too many things at one time. 

Leadership Question: Do you give the most important tasks all of your attention and focus?

I am glad my father taught me these principles each day as I handled the American Flag. I needed these principles in my life. They were bigger than the flag; they have become essential for life. I would hope all leaders know and live these principles. These principles make for better leaders in all areas of life. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ken Gosnell is the CEO and Servant Leader of CEO Experience (CXP). His company serves CEOS and leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. Ken is the publisher of the CXP CEO Executive Guide that is designed to help leaders learn faster by encouraging to give themselves a monthly learning retreat. His monthly CEO retreats have helped thousands of CEOs and their leadership teams to enhance strategic, operational, and people accomplishments. He is an author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and strategic partner with CEOs and successful business leaders. Connect with @ken_gosnell on Twitter.