Musings, leadership tidbits and quotes posted by a retired Navy Captain (really just a high performing 2nd Class Petty Officer) who hung up his uniform a bit too early. He still wears his Navy service on his sleeve. He needs to get over that. "ADVANCE WARNING - NO ORIGINAL THOUGHT!" A "self-appointed" lead EVANGELIST for the "cryptologic community". Keeping CRYPTOLOGY alive-one day and Sailor at a time. 2015 is 80th Anniversary of the Naval Security Group.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
The three compelling secrets to leadership that real leaders understand implicitly
I don’t know if I am a ‘real leader’ or not but will offer:
1. I am not dumb, but probably not the smartest guy in the room -- the smartest guy in the room will change depending on the topic/mission at hand.
2. At times I am going to fall short; at times the people who work with me will fall short -- what is important is that we don’t like it, we actually strive to meet the mark and that when we do fall short we learn and move on.
3. I am a regular person – the people who work with me are regular people too. Being senior doesn’t make someone better; being junior doesn’t make someone lesser.
The "Stuff" is important, and it needs to happen, but setting it as our first priority is counter-productive. If we take care of our people and equip them to do their jobs, the "Stuff" tends to happen as it should.
Courtesy of a former director of Nuclear Power School.
Sir, I have an uncle with whom you worked, and about whom you have written. I served as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps from 1980 to 1984, and was a "buck" sergeant by the end of my tour. I was the honor graduate in the NCO Academy. Since the three traits of an instinctive leader appear to be blank, I would like to offer my opinion. They pertain only to leadership, not job competence. They are: 1) Lead by example. 2) Never ask someone to do something that you would not do yourself. And, 3) Never miss an opportunity to reward excellence. Thank you for your kind words regarding my uncle. He remains one of the best men I have ever known. I apologize for remaining anonymous, but I do not wish to tarnish his reputation. Semper Fidelis
5 comments:
I don’t know if I am a ‘real leader’ or not but will offer:
1. I am not dumb, but probably not the smartest guy in the room -- the smartest guy in the room will change depending on the topic/mission at hand.
2. At times I am going to fall short; at times the people who work with me will fall short -- what is important is that we don’t like it, we actually strive to meet the mark and that when we do fall short we learn and move on.
3. I am a regular person – the people who work with me are regular people too. Being senior doesn’t make someone better; being junior doesn’t make someone lesser.
BONUS:
4. Character counts.
Thanks for sharing yours Jim.
The "Real Leaders" with whom I continue to serve share these three (and many more) philosophies...
It's all about we and us - Cooperative Leadership and Personal Connection matter!
It's what we do more than what we say - Follow Through matters!
What we do outside of work can undermine our ability to lead at work...Character matters!
1. People
2. Training
3. Stuff
In that order.
The "Stuff" is important, and it needs to happen, but setting it as our first priority is counter-productive. If we take care of our people and equip them to do their jobs, the "Stuff" tends to happen as it should.
Courtesy of a former director of Nuclear Power School.
Sir,
I have an uncle with whom you worked, and about whom you have written. I served as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps from 1980 to 1984, and was a "buck" sergeant by the end of my tour. I was the honor graduate in the NCO Academy. Since the three traits of an instinctive leader appear to be blank, I would like to offer my opinion. They pertain only to leadership, not job competence. They are: 1) Lead by example. 2) Never ask someone to do something that you would not do yourself. And, 3) Never miss an opportunity to reward excellence.
Thank you for your kind words regarding my uncle. He remains one of the best men I have ever known. I apologize for remaining anonymous, but I do not wish to tarnish his reputation.
Semper Fidelis
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