Positive Leadership Advice for Military Officers

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>I can't recall seeing a discussion topic like this before...but...can anyone else sum leadership up better than this Naval officer?</p>

<p>As written by Admiral Charles R. Larson, USN (Ret.), 51st & 55th Superintendent USNA, 2006 Distinguished Graduate Awardee:</p>

<p>*<em>Uphold the standards of the Naval Academy.
*</em>Be a person of integrity.
*<em>Lead by example -
(Meet the standard you are holding others to).
*</em>Strive for excellence without arrogance. <<< Read this line two more times >>>
*<em>Do your best.
*</em>Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
*<em>Tolerate honest mistakes from people that are doing their best.
*</em>Seek the truth -
(Rumors and unverified anecdotes undermine morale).
*<em>Speak well of others -
(Gossip undermines human dignity).
*</em>Keep a sense of humor and be able to laugh at yourself.</p>

<p>OUR GOAL: MAKE THE CHAIN OF COMMAND WORK BY
ENHANCING MUTUAL TRUST, RESPECT AND GOOD
TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION.</p>

<p>--> Some good advice to hold onto.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Uphold the standards of the Naval Academy.

[/quote]

Well, if you do what follows, you will.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Be a person of integrity.

[/quote]

Of course.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Lead by example - (Meet the standard you are holding others to).

[/quote]

Amen. Nothing ticks off the followers more than being forced to follow a hypocrite.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Strive for excellence without arrogance. <<< Read this line two more times >>>

[/quote]

Yup. Make that two or more THOUSAND times.</p>

<p>Just remember, however, that some people will find arrogance in the humblest of people. Those people are too insecure in themselves, and perceive everyone else as a threat. There is a difference between arrogance and confidence. Learn it. Sadly, it's a very difficult lesson to learn.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Do your best.

[/quote]

Duh.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Treat everyone with dignity and respect.

[/quote]

Amen to dignity. Respect they must earn. None of this gives a dirtbag a free ride.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Tolerate honest mistakes from people that are doing their best.

[/quote]

True, but always measure against results and repeated mistakes. I've always told my people I will dismiss a mistake once, tolerate it twice, then really get mad on the third time. All of this unless the "mistake" is negligence or incompetence, in which case they're not "doing their best". </p>

<p>
[quote]
Seek the truth - (Rumors and unverified anecdotes undermine morale).

[/quote]

In God we trust. All others bring data. Deal with FACTS.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Speak well of others - (Gossip undermines human dignity).

[/quote]

If they deserve it. If they don't, and you have no reason to be speaking about them, especially if you don't have FACTS (see above), then keep your mouth shut.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Keep a sense of humor and be able to laugh at yourself.

[/quote]

Yup. Don't take yourself too seriously, or everyone else will join you.</p>