NORTH READING, MA — Great leaders start out as followers and servants, and the greatest leaders continue to serve when achieving high positions of authority, Austin Prep students learned on March 1.
Those words of wisdom came from Major General Charles W. Whittington, Jr., the Deputy Commanding General of Operations in the U.S. First Army, who spoke on the topic of leadership.
“You humble yourself and bear the same hardships as your followers,” he said. “You gain respect by sharing in the hardships, not by thinking you are too good for them.”
The major general visited Austin Prep as part of our St. Augustine Lecture Series. Named for our patron, the series is designed to enrich the intellectual life of the school community by exposing students to accomplished individuals who share their experiences and lessons learned in life.
Other advice: Learn to differentiate between leadership and management, and it is never too early to learn how to put the needs of others before your own, Maj. General Whittington told the 800 students and faculty.
“Carry the spirit of selfless service,” he said. “Be prepared to accept the challenges that are presented to you.”
Maj. Gen. Whittington said he has served with multiple generations of young men and women, and he sees a bright future ahead for the country.
“American youth are just as capable and talented today as those of the past,” he said. “I am this generation’s greatest fan.”
Maj. Gen. Whittington is a career field officer, with 30 years of military service. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leave Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Southwest Asian Service Medal with Campaign Stars, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Parachutist Badge.
(NOTE: The above press release is from Austin Prep.)
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