Position

I read a sentence this morning I really like.  “Rank is given you to enable you to better serve those above and below you. It is not given for you to practice your idiosyncrasies.” It was said by an army guy (General Bruce C. Clarke).  I must admit some sentences for me engage the automatic brake system.
When I replace rank with position, I thought for every position I have held that has been true.  Ok when I started out there was no one below me.  It was up to me to keep my boss happy.  I have found that in all things it is more than doing what is required, but doing more than what is required and taking ownership of the position.  Whatever I am, I need to be the best I can be.
The fist job I had when I came to Brisbane was a mail sorting position.  I actually thought that was great as it gave me a chance to interact with everyone.  I got to know them all.  The absolute big boss had me fix his chair one time.  I so did not know what I was doing but it worked out.  He was happy and I was happy and relieved.
I did collect stamps and having access to all the mail saw me using a Stanley knife and very carefully removing stamps.  I kept all the Australian ones and gave the world ones to a guy.  He was keeping them for his son.  I did not know it, but his son died tragically in an accident.  I told the fella if ever he wanted to sell his stamps I was interested.  He sold them to me for a ridiculously low amount.  He had heaps more than I had provided including German stamps he got during the war as he went through Germany.
I have never been at the really high up (except maybe in table tennis where I was President of a club) but the truth of the sentence remains.  In all cases I have needed to serve those above and below me.
When it comes down to it a leadership position is a servant position.  It is true there are those who see promotion as a status symbol only and thrive on the power.  But from what I have seen that does not end well.  Either bosses are disgruntled or those below are.  Where they can they vote with their feet.
Serving can be a hard slog.  When it comes to bosses, I just do it.  Wanting to or not has nothing to do with it.  But when I make the decisions there are so many voices and agendas.  Many people seem to think it is their way or no way.
I have learned though it is always good to listen.  People have great ideas.  Some are useful and some are not.  In one place I worked I suggested something to the boss and several years later he suggested it like it was his idea.  To me that does not matter.  What matters is if something is deemed worthwhile it is followed up on.  If I am the boss, I make the final decisions and the organization rises or falls on that.
But whatever happens the position is not about my idiosyncrasies, it is about methods and outcome.  I need to serve those above and below.