On Leadership

Well, in a break from writing about grand strategy, tactics, terrorism, and impending doom, I decided to take a brief break… and write a bit about leadership. Here are some leader lessons I’ve learned from VMI, the Army, and the civilian world. With the college season coming to an end, and many 2nd LTs getting their commissions, I thought it was about time I imparted some wisdom –so here we go:

1. Be Yourself

-Being yourself is important to anyone seeking to lead others. It means not pretending to be something you’re not, not inflating your accomplishments, and not trying to assert yourself as the “top dog” in the group. Unless you are the top dog in the group, so in that case, assert away. Bottom Line: don’t BS people about yourself, because they will eventually find out the real facts. Be yourself, warts and all, and you’ll get respect for it. Unless those warts keep you from doing pushups. In that case, you are worthless.

2. Be technically and tactically competent

-As a military officer, or a civilian leader, being proficient at your job is going to be essential to your career success. In Army jargon, technically competent means knowing how to fire and operate your weapon, tactically competent means being able to field the system in a real-world situation. Knowing your stuff, by the book and in the real world, lends respect to your decisions, which is essential for small group leadership.

3. Don’t expect others to do things you won’t do yourself

-This gets to the heart of leadership philosophies. If you think it’s a good idea for your unit to be physically fit, be physically fit yourself. If your want your group to put in extra hours, prepare to be there with them doing it. If you’re not willing to gut out the consequences of your own directives, reconsider giving them.

4. Know Yourself

-Knowing yourself is distinctly different from being yourself, because knowing what you are capable of is essential when you give your directives as a leader (see #3 and #2.) Also, knowing what you are not capable of is just as valuable. If you know you can’t drink 10 beers at the bar, don’t try to do it. If you are certain of your ability to do so, giddy up!

5. Set the Example

-Setting the example goes along with #3, but as a leader, you are expected to go above and beyond the standard. Therefore, if you want to implement a proposal, be the first to embrace it. If you direct your unit to achieve a specific goal, achieve it first, and extend your help to those you direct that may need help meeting your intent.

6. PT!

-Yep, PT. This goes with knowing yourself and setting the example. Staying in shape keeps you healthy, and staying in shape keeps you more able to lead. So stop being lazy, and get out and run!

7. Read Books

-Yep, read. Continuing your education, and informing yourself of the world and the events and history that influence it is essential to your personal growth and development. Read, learn, and stay tuned. You’ll be better connected to the world around you, and in a better position to influence it.

8. Realize you don’t know everything

-This one is important. Just because you graduated from college, or commissioned in the military, doesn’t mean you’ve been granted some sort of magical key to the knowledge base of the universe. (you get that when you start a blog). Seek knowledge from everyone around you, and learn as much as possible. It will give you credibility if you present yourself as open to new ideas, and not closed off, thinking you’ve figured out the world at 22.

9. Make mistakes & drive on

-Another important one. You’re going to mess up, eventually. Be honest and forthcoming about your mistakes, as well as your successes. Everyone knows LTs and young leaders have a learning curve. Be smart about it, suck it up, and drive on, learning as much from your mistakes as you can. It’s why they put erasers on pencils.

10. Listen to your platoon sergeant!

-Lastly, and most importantly, listen to your NCO. I can’t stress the importance of this. You’ll understand eventually, trust me.