Leadership story: Why to join in and help your team no matter who you are

One rainy day during the American Revolutionary War, George Washington on his way to a camp rode pass a group of soldiers who were attempting to raise a wooden beam to a high position. The corporal in charge was shouting orders and some encouragement, but the soldiers couldn’t get the beam in position. Because he was interested to see how the corporal would solve the situation Washington decided to stop and observe. After watching their lack of success for some time, Washington asked the corporal “Why don’t you join in and help?” To which the corporal looked at George Washington not knowing who he was and replied, “Don’t you realize that I am the corporal? Have you ever seen a corporal do something like that?” Very politely, General Washington replied, ”I beg your pardon, Mr. Corporal, I did know that you are a corporal.”

At that moment Washington dismounted his horse and went to work with the soldiers to get the oak beam in position. As they finished, General Washington wiped some sweat from his face, looked at the corporal who was yelling at them the whole time and said: “If you should need help again, call on Washington, your commander-in-chief, and I will come.” All the men there were certain now more than ever that they decided to follow the right man. As for the corporal. He learned his lesson that day and decided to never put himself in a position to hear the question “Why don’t you join in and help?”