Top Leadership Tips

Be Authentic: Don't try a personality or leadership style which isn't truly your own. There are numerous leadership styles and personalities which are successful. You will fail if you try to act or be something not congruent with your authentic style.

TPLP: "Treat people like people." When you communicate verbally and non-verbally to peers and especially subordinates, show humility. This goes hand-in-hand with "a good boss never has to announce he's the boss." Do people follow you because you're a good leader, or do they follow you only because of the rank on your chest?

"Zero Tolerance": We commonly use Zero Tolerance to explain policy on sexual harassment, assault, racism, and other unethical and immoral issues. Do you live those policies? Your speech and behavior as a leader show others whether you truly support Zero Tolerance. Alleged violations should be investigated quickly and seriously. Your team should never question where you stand; find ways to reinforce your beliefs.

Share Hardships: If possible, share in tasks especially if they are difficult, tedious, or boring. While in command, I would spend 10-15 minutes picking weeds with my Soldiers in our Company area whenever I could spare time. I showed that I was not special, and I used the time to learn about them, their families, and important issues of which I was previously unaware. It's amazing what leaders can pick up on, simply by spending a few minutes to work next to, and listen to, fellow Soldiers.

Lead By Example: Do what you ask of your subordinates. Be fit, make moral decisions, practice intellectual thought. You may not be the fastest or strongest, but you better be the "hardest worker in the room".

Listen More Than You Speak: Communication skills are critical. Whether speaking to superiors, peers, or subordinates, listen more than you speak. Take time to think about your responses to questions or answers. Consider how your tone and chosen words impact others. I've witnessed Leaders speak impulsively or cut others off unnecessarily during meetings and training events. Don't do it, and coach your own organization accordingly.

Walk in Others' Shoes: Practice empathy and consider others' perspectives. You must be able to reasonably infer what others are thinking and feeling, in a humble manner. Be careful that your tone is not omniscient or condescending.
"The Triad": MIH, DBW, FIO. This triad is a common set of leadership principles that has been handed down for awhile. "Make it happen", "Don't be weak", and "Figure it Out." These are laregely self-explanatory but it is surprising how many leaders falter or accept a substandard solution when they hit an obstacle. Leaders need to have initiative, confidence, and acuity to understand when there is still a viable solution possible, even if others say "it can't be done" or "we've never done it that way".

Share Social Time: Find ways to connect with your unit outside of work. If you're a CO, think about how you want your Company Hail & Farewells and Family Days to run. An easy win for your unit is to schedule "Resiliency Days" once every quarter or two, in which you conduct mandatory unit training for a couple hours, and then have a family BBQ/sports day with an early release.

Be Creative: The best Leaders are able to run effective solutions from a "playbook" but most importantly, they can recognize the benefit of implementing innovative solutions. The best Leaders also foster creativity at lower levels, and reward/support creative solutions which better accomplish a task.