Apprentice Leadership

The past eight days I have enjoyed a brief, but needed, respite from my daily routines of work and social media activities. The occasion was a vacation trip to Williamsburg, Virginia where we spent the week relaxing, dining, shopping, and visiting the many historic sites located there. I’m fascinated with history so the fact we had visited Colonial Williamsburg in the past didn’t dampen my interest in seeing everything again. One observation during our time there seems worth noting in this week’s post.

The persons who demonstrate trades found in the 18th century share one thing in common. All were elevated to their positions only after completing a rigorous apprenticeship under the guidance of a master craftsman. Most worked for at least seven years in this role before they could hold the position as a recognized expert in their craft. In colonial times these apprentices toiled for food and lodging while they learned about carpentry, blacksmithing, wig making, printing, or whatever their chosen vocation. The results of their labor didn’t always produce success, perhaps destining the failed apprentice to a life at the bottom of that era’s social and economic ranking.

Today’s youth have been shunning trade vocations at an alarming rate. While the number of manufacturing jobs in our country has been declining, not all can be blamed on technology and cheap overseas labor. The willingness to pursue a trade has been usurped by our society’s relentless appetite for instant success. Few, if any, high school or college graduates would relish the prospect of spending seven years mastering their craft. Perhaps this is even more pronounced when the topic of leadership is introduced.

While becoming a leader isn’t actually a trade, the process of developing leadership skills does share some parallels. I believe inspiring leadership is something that can be taught. Just like apprentices of old, successful leaders must be willing to learn and possess the discipline to persevere, often without recognition, in order to gain insights about themselves and those they aspire to serve.

A competent mentor is also essential, and perhaps one reason so few inspiring leaders actually emerge from our universities and organizational systems. My earliest mentors were persons of principle, who also possessed an optimistic outlook, a willingness to speak the truth, and plenty of common sense. They freely shared their knowledge, offered helpful positive or negative feedback about my performance, and challenged me to hone my talents into transferable skills. Like the master craftsmen I met this past week, they loved to teach others what they had gleaned from their vocation and about life.

During challenging times, the need for principled and skilled leadership is vital. Yet the persons charged with this role in our political and business systems seem largely bereft of the qualities and talents that master craftsmen possess. Influenced by public opinion, money, or power these leaders are often guided more by ego than a commitment to their craft. Where are today’s apprentice leaders expected to serve and learn when a model for inspirational leadership is mostly absent or dismissed as too simplistic? 

I deeply respect the knowledge and skills of the craft masters I met this past week. Their pursuit of excellence, attention to detail, commitment to learn, and willingness to pass on their art preserves history for future generations. Perhaps in some small way my work can introduce apprenticeship concepts that will change how the aspiring leaders I teach and mentor view their roles. If others do the same we may still be able to turn the curve on much of the failed leadership that has permeated our social, economic, political, and religious systems. A review of 18th century leaders might be a great place to start. Field trip anyone?