Leadership U.S. Marine Style
No matter what career you choose, at one point or another you may be asked to take on a leadership role. Many people start at the bottom and work their way to the top without the benefit of having taken leadership courses. Some are natural leaders while others have moved up thanks to their past contributions. When it comes time to lead, are you prepared?
If you’re not a natural born leader, you’ll need to learn how to lead effectively. The U. S. Marine Corps has identified 14 leadership traits that help leaders earn the respect, confidence, and loyalty of others. These traits are: justice, judgment, decisiveness, dependability, initiative, tact, integrity, enthusiasm, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, and endurance.
While you may not have a military career in your future, you can learn how to lead by following the model as set forth by the Marine Corps.
Justice
Having a sense of justice takes more than recognizing fairness. If you are to be a leader, you must practice being fair consistently. This means treating everyone equally and avoiding favoritism. It also means taking a deep, hard look at yourself and the decisions you make. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I being fair?”
Judgment
You have good judgment, right? A leader exercises his good judgment by using common sense and thinking clearly and calmly in order to come to a good decision. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I making a rash decision or have I thought this problem through in an orderly, calm manner?” If you are rushing to judgment, put the issue to rest for a few hours and return when you are in a calmer frame of mind.
Decisiveness
Once you’ve made a decision, it’s important to be decisive. Make your decision without delay and stick with it. This doesn’t mean make a bad decision and become bullheaded. It means use your good judgment and sense of justice, gather all of the facts, weigh the facts against each other, and make a good decision. Don’t half-heartedly announce your decision. Instead, be professional, clear, and firm. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Is this a decision made using my best judgment and all of the facts? Can I stick to this decision?” Make good decisions in the first place and you will be better able to stand behind them.
Dependability
Do you consider yourself dependable? Are you always on time, ready to work? Do you perform your duties properly, using your best effort for performance? Are you trusted? Are you always willing to volunteer for additional duties? Do you offer your support to others and follow the rules? If so, you are dependable. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Can they count on me?” Make sure you are dependable by taking your job role seriously no matter what it is.
Initiative
A good leader takes the initiative to do something before being asked to do so. Prompt action and resourcefulness are also part of the initiative equation.
Tip: Ask yourself, “What needs to be done?” and then do it.
Tact
Do you have tact? Tact is a simple concept: treat others as you would like to be treated. It means that you are able to deal with others in a way that maintains good relations and minimizes problems. When you have tact, you don’t alienate others, even when you disagree. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I treating this person the way that I’d like to be treated?”
Tip: Do you allow others to maintain their dignity no matter the circumstance?
Integrity
The trait of integrity can be taught however this trait is extremely personal. It comes down to you and the person in the mirror. When you look in the mirror, the image you see knows the truth about your integrity. Are you honest and truthful in what you say and do? Do you stand up for what is right? Do you act to prevent what is wrong? Only you can be the judge of your integrity and only you can improve it. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I being completely honest and truthful?” Practice honesty and stick up for what you believe is right.
Enthusiasm
Who would you rather follow – a leader who is following orders or a leader who truly believes in his mission and is enthusiastic and optimistic? Enthusiasm is sincerity and interest in a particular task. When you are enthusiastic, you are interested in the task and willing to take on the challenges it offers. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “What is this purpose of this task and why must it be done?” When you understand and believe in a purpose, even for menial jobs, you’ll become more enthusiastic.
Bearing (Personal Conduct)
How do you conduct yourself? What standards do you set for yourself? Your conduct and appearance represent the trait of bearing. Are you confident, alert, and competent? Do you dress professionally? To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I holding myself to the highest standards?”
Unselfishness
Unselfish people are considerate of others and give credit where credit is due. They don’t use their position for personal gain at the expense of others. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I recognizing the contributions of others?” Go out of your way to thank or reward someone for their hard work. Remember, everyone needs feedback. Consider reading this short story on the Henderson State University website – Geese Story.
Courage
Many people think courage means being brave, but courage is much more than this. Yes, remaining calm while recognizing fear or physical danger is courageous; so is accepting blame when you are wrong. Standing up for what is right is a sign of integrity but it is also courageous. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I willing to take the heat?” Practice self-discipline and calmness and learn how to control your reactions to your fears by confronting them.
Knowledge
Having the knowledge you require to do your job is important. A leader knows their business well. A leader should also be knowledgeable about company policies, the industry, trends that affect the workplace, business practices, current events, and other issues that concern the group as a whole. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “What concerns do my subordinates have and do I have the knowledge to address for them?” Stay alert, listen to others, read newspapers, trade publications and gather information. Adopt a personal “continuous learning” mentality.
Loyalty
The Marine Corps values loyalty so much that their motto is “Semper Fidelis” which means “always faithful.” Those wishing to become leaders can take a lesson from this simple concept and develop their loyalty trait by being loyal and faithful to everyone in their organization from the top to the bottom. To develop this trait, you don’t have to ask yourself any questions. Simply practice being faithful. This means avoiding speaking unfavorably about the company or any of its people in front of others. No badmouthing. It also means adopting decisions made by others and carrying out your duties willingly.
Endurance
The Marine Corps expects physical endurance and stamina as well as an ability to withstand pain, hardship, stress, and fatigue of its leaders, you might think that you can skip this leadership trait in other scenarios. Not so. You may not be called upon for a grueling march but you will need stamina and you will need to get through hardship and stress in just about any job role you find yourself in. Long hours, corporate takeovers, layoffs, unhappy employees, emergencies, and other influences will require endurance. To develop this trait, ask yourself, “Am I physically fit?” By getting into shape, you will be better able to handle both the physical and mental challenges your position will throw your way.
The Next Steps
Next, take a leadership trait a week and put it into practice.
For example, on week one, practice justice and ask yourself if you are being fair when making decisions or handing out assignments. Stay alert to the other situations and traits but make a concentrated effort on being fair. On week two, continue being fair in all things but add practicing good judgment to the equation. In fourteen weeks, you will have experienced each leadership trait and improved your leadership skills in the process.
Related posts:
