Leadership, Service, and the Doctrine of Love

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As I observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday today, I am reflecting on what Dr. King’s leadership and service means for us and our times.

Dr. King’s leadership spoke not only to the head but also the heart. It bent the national dialogue towards justice. And it was precisely what was needed during the Civil Rights era.

But do these observations of Dr. King’s leadership fully explain what it was that made it so powerful? And how can Dr. King’s legacy of leadership be applied in our society today?

As I contemplate these questions, what continuously comes into focus as a core element of Dr. King’s leadership is what I would humbly describe as a “doctrine of love” — a doctrine and approach that puts our common humanity at the center of leadership.

And as I delve deeper into Dr. King’s life, it becomes increasingly clear it is this “doctrine of love” style of leadership that we — military leaders and Veterans today — would immediately recognize and are intimately familiar with.

Dr. King’s leadership had to overcome immense hardship to motivate his followers and supporters in pursuit of a noble and just mission for our country — not unlike that which is required of military leaders.

In fact, when I reflect on my time serving as an Infantry officer in combat in Iraq, I recall feeling this “doctrine of love” for my soldiers — and trying to approach my leadership in this way.

A leadership that goes well beyond simple legal responsibility — but caring for my soldiers as human beings. As people who experience the human condition just as I do — having aspirations, fears, goals, and souls — all elements of the human condition and all of which surfaced in palpable ways throughout our combat tour.

When we shared the risk of going on patrol together, it was an act of love. When we cheered each other up, it was an act of love. And when we mourned together, it was an act of love.

What I learned in combat is that love is the most important element of leadership.

Moreover, I discovered this “doctrine of love” did not make us softer, more risk adverse, or timid. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It was powerful.

It bound us together — allowing us to do extraordinary things as ordinary people. Tremendous acts of courage in pursuit of our noble mission to serve and protect the American public. Acts that we would not have been able to do on our own.

Love is not judgmental. Love is without conditions. Love is grounded in the fact that we have a shared humanity. And love is what can unite and bind — those from different backgrounds and worldviews — into one.

But when I look at our society today, I don’t see a “doctrine of love.”

What I see is a factionalized society — organized by our different worldviews, founded in our “tribal identities,” and driven by what we do not share.

So, as I reflect on my meditation on Dr. King’s leadership, I return to what we, as Veterans, can do to further extend Dr. King’s style of leadership and “doctrine of love” in our society today.

What we can do is actively demonstrate our humanity and Dr. King’s “doctrine of love” to someone who needs help; someone who is hurt; someone who experiences injustice. But here’s what makes the “doctrine of love” truly powerful…

Apply your “doctrine of love” towards those not only in your “faction” or “tribe” — but also to those not on “your side” of our societal divisions. Reach out to the “other side” with an outstretched hand, an open mind, and a full heart of humanity and love.

To my fellow Veterans — today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day — is your day to renew Dr. King’s “doctrine of love” as a core element of leadership in our society.

And you, as Veterans, are uniquely positioned to do just that.

Tell us here what you do.

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” -Dr. Martin Luther King