Leadership

United States Army Colonel David Hackworth had his vision set by VMI Commandant Colonel Glover Johns. We would do well to incorporate these philosophical tenets into our military, leadership and daily lives.

PRINCIPLES OF GOOD SOLDIERING by Col. Glover Johns:

• 1. Strive to do small things well.


• 2. Be a doer and a self-starter -- aggressiveness and initiative are two most admired qualities in a leader -- but you must also put your feet up and THINK.


• 3. Strive for self-improvement through constant self-evaluation.


• 4. Never be satisfied. Ask of any project, How can it be done better?


• 5. Don't over-inspect or over-supervise. Allow your leaders to make mistakes in training, so they can profit from the errors and not make them in combat.


• 6. Keep the troops informed; telling them "what, how, and why" builds their confidence.


• 7. The harder the training, the more troops will brag.


• 8. Enthusiasm, fairness, and moral and physical courage - four of the most important aspects of leadership.


• 9. Showmanship-a vital technique of leadership.


• 10. The ability to speak and write well-two essential tools of leadership.


• 11. There is a salient difference between profanity and obscenity; while a leader employs profanity (tempered with discretion), he never uses obscenities.


• 12. Have consideration for others.


• 13. Yelling detracts from your dignity; take men aside to counsel them.


• 14. Understand and use judgement; know when to stop fighting for something you believe is right. Discuss and argue your point of view until a decision is made, and then support the decision wholeheartedly.


• 15. Stay ahead of your boss.

Some basic principles never decline with age.

Check out: Soldiers For The Truth, at sftt.org.

BZ