TOYOTA — Why you’re never too important to take out your own trash: Servant leadership in action

When I was a brand new U.S. Army Second Lieutenant fresh out of West Point, I shared an office w/ two other Officers who were also Platoon Leaders. Brian was the senior member of our “Lieutenant Mafia.” He was a Mustang, meaning he was prior enlisted and earned his commission through the Officer Candidate School (OCS). I looked up to Brian because he had real leadership experience in the military whereas I was still “wet behind the ears.” He was (and still is) wise beyond his years.

Little did we know at the time (late 2001), that our unit was preparing war — the invasion to liberate Iraq (aka Operation Iraqi Freedom). We were spending long days training in the field, maintenance in the motor pool, followed by late nights catching up on paperwork. Every evening, one of the young Soldiers who worked in the Company headquarters would come by our office, stand at the position of attention in the doorway and say in a thick southern drawl, “Gentlemen, do ya’ll have any trash that need taken out?” I’d usually glance up from behind my computer, nod or say “yes, please,” then he’d walk in, grab the trash bag, replace the liner and move out without a word. This pattern continued daily without fail.

Over time, I got to know Private Snuffy. He was 19 (I was 22) and he hailed from Paducah, KY. He joined the Army to escape a broken home, earn money for college and “make something of himself.” Snuffy had recently suffered a knee injury…