Every person is vain in their own way—to a greater or lesser extent.

It is crucial to be aware of these vanities. So that they don't unconsciously throw a spanner in the works.

"I see my leadership style as trying to do my best every day. I believe that I am capable of delivering that until the end of the season. But not beyond that." Do you remember? Last year, those words did not come from a politician, a board member, or a corporate executive. It was Philipp Lahm's statement on his retirement as a professional soccer player. For many, his decision to stop playing at the end of the season turned the rules of soccer upside down. Retirement? But he's playing so well! He left fans speechless and colleagues and coaches astonished. Why was everyone so surprised?

Let's change the scene and the year. The 2010 World Cup is just around the corner. Michael Ballack is injured and out of the game. Philipp Lahm is named substitute captain. Previously viewed with skepticism, the German team surprises everyone with victories: against England and 4-0 against Argentina. The team grows closer together, Germany rejoices. But one person is not rejoicing: Michael Ballack. When Lahm announced that he would not be giving up the captain's armband after the World Cup, Ballack, the team's leader, felt snubbed. Germany becomes soccer world champion in 2014.

The courage to take responsibility

Lahm's initiative was courageous, no question about it. A risk. But he saw what needed to be done. And then he justified his initiative with results. That's part of successful leadership.

• Step 1: responsibility (what is needed).
• Step 2: responsibility (think about how it could work).
• Step 3: responsibility (get involved and deliver results).
• Step 4: responsibility – transfer (systematize, delegate, and let go).

Lahm saw what the team needed now: a cooperative captain who was close to the players. Not an alpha male like in the past, but rather a guiding light integrated into flatter hierarchies. Because times had changed. People had changed. It often takes courage responsibility consciously responsibility , sometimes against the tide. Only success and the right results can prove you right.

When Ballack returned, he proudly demanded his captain's armband back. He demanded his status. He had failed to recognize the signs of the times."What worked in the past is still right today." He could not and would not see what was in the air: his time was over. Not "he" was over. But the time of "his type" was over. Status orientation became Result Orientation. He preferred to cling to the royal scepter. National coach Löw offered the 35-year-old a "dignified farewell from the national team," which he should have accepted. Ballack refused. He considered the offer a "farce" and "hypocritical." No retirement. Silver-backed behavior. The end result: Löw had to kick him out. What an undignified end for a gifted soccer player.

Respect and trust

Lahm and Ballack. Both top players. Both captains of the national team. Both ending their careers as professional soccer players. The difference? Lahm served the "big picture" first and then himself. Ballack served "himself" first and then the "big picture." Lahm led by looking at the big picture and Ballack by looking at himself. Neither is right or wrong. But everything has its time. And that has changed. Ballack didn't notice, clung to the old ways, and lost.

The fact that the "Capitano" was still unable to accept the course of history was evident in his subsequent remarks. Even later, the quarrelsome athlete saw himself as a victim. And that made him look even weaker in the eyes of the public. He explained that it wasn't nice that Lahm had taken away his captain's armband at the DFB. This came as a surprise to him. After this takeover, he never made it back into the team. He never played another game. Unspoken, you can almost hear the words: "It's all Lahm's fault."It screams of wounded vanity and envy of the World Cup title.

At the time, Lahm had decided to take responsibility the responsibility , perhaps a little brashly. But then he had just as consciously decided to relinquish it again. He grabs hold, then lets go. Free and self-determined. He didn't even let a job offer from FC Bayern dictate his career path. That makes it clear what makes Lahm tick. He was a results-oriented team player. He quietly asserts himself. Not loudly. That's why many people underestimated him. He waited until his time came and then seized it. And delivered. Consistently. He gets his status through results. And not results through status. Lahm was aware of his responsibilities as a professional soccer player in one of the most important clubs in the world – to deliver top performance at the drop of a hat. This made him a role model.

Be willing and able

That was what irritated many people so much. Someone voluntarily took responsibility before others demanded it. Usually, it's the other way around. No fans had booed, no coaches had complained, and no journalists had demanded his resignation. Lahm had decided for himself. He knew where his abilities and limits lay. At that point, he had reached the latter. And he left. Of his own accord.

Unreflective clinging to an elitist position usually turns out to be a self-affirmation trip. This also applies to leader. These two cases show how important the issue of responsibility is linked to trust and respect. People in responsibility must fulfill and uphold both of these responsibility all times. If one of them is disappointed or abused too often and repeatedly, the anger is great. And that is what Lahm achieved through his career and his departure. It is a great art to leave when things are at their best. He responsibility . He justified this through results. This then led to even more trust and respect. A respect that still exists and continues to grow. He has shaped the image of his brand very cleverly. Hopefully, he also lives by these principles in his private life. I cannot judge whether this is the case. I do not know him personally. Unfortunately.

Image source: ©pixabay – MarcoPomella