leadership lessons from the Veep

A couple of weeks ago, I was on the Acela train from NYC to DC, living the life of the traveling consultant, when I finally had the chance to confirm that Joe Biden does in fact ride the same train to DC weekly.

Shortly after the train stopped in Wilmington, Mr. Biden walked through the automatic doors into my car, followed by two members of the Secret Service. After a few minutes, he again walked past me, this time carrying a cup of coffee and a snack box that one can purchase in the Acela café car.

As I processed those 10 seconds in which I saw the Veep for the first time, I learned two critical leadership lessons from him:

Walk with determination and confidence, even on unsafe and unknown paths.

Most leaders in positions of power walk into public places with security staff encircling them. Mr. Biden was merely followed by two guards. He led the way across the train to the café, knowing very well that he could easily be caught behind someone blocking the aisle, or even enter a situation in which his life could be in danger. He exuded confidence that nothing would go wrong, even in the midst of a densely populated train full of passengers who hadn’t gone through a security checkpoint to ride the train.

Identify with those whom you lead, and leave your titles and entitlements at the door.

Joe rides the Acela (first class). He doesn’t take a personal jet, when he easily could do so. And, while the first class car comes with complimentary food and beverage service, he chose to buy his own coffee and cheap snacks from the same café that all the non-first class plebeians, like myself, frequent. Moreover, he didn’t have anyone hold his purchases for him. He was like any of us – just trying to get his coffee back to his seat without spilling it on any fellow passengers. Compare this with the common practice of senior leaders in Corporate America, who expect their lowly intern or assistant to fetch them their daily latte and croissant.

This all reminds me of the words of Sarah Churchwell:

"People who are given whatever they want soon develop a sense of entitlement and rapidly lose their sense of proportion."

As a leader – no matter how important or insignificant – be aware, and be like Joe Biden. Have confidence in your actions, identify with those whom you lead, and be judicious in your expectations and demands. And, go buy your intern a cup of coffee for a change.