It is important for a leader to understand that completing essential tasks to meet mission goals, personal development, and providing future leaders the tools to procure success are all equally important and should be balanced. Times may call for one responsibility to be a higher priority that the other, so it is imperative that leaders are able to differentiate what skills apply to certain situations. “Strategic leaders, for example, must control personnel development, evaluation and certification, and assignment and utilization processes in ways that motivate aspiring professionals as they progress through a career of service,” (TRADOC, 2010). The cycle of learning, training, and accomplishing goals creates a culture of duty-oriented Soldiers with dedicated character and leadership
At the end of the day, a true leader “in the army will do these three things live by the army core values, know the warrior ethos, and lead by example”-MSI textbook. Leaders both in and out of the army are held to a higher standard holding themselves in a professional manner at all times. The success of the group is attributed to the leadership styles and core values instilled in the solider to do his job effectively. General Eisenhower once
Leadership development in the military is critical to its mission and objectives. Understanding and embracing leadership will foster an agile culture and facilitate attainment of strategic goals. People desire quality leadership to assist with achieving their goals, albeit personal or professional development. Having a clear vision and the motivation to perform at high-levels influences others to work synergistically together to achieve organizational goals. Insomuch, employees value being treated respectfully, fairly, and ethically. Leaders serve people best when they help them develop their own initiative and good judgment, enable them to grow, and help them become better contributors.
My leadership philosophy revolves entirely around the Army Values. In every action I take as a leader, I assess whether or not it lines up with the Army Values and the potential impacts. I have had a variety of leadership assignments during my career, all requiring a different leadership approach, spanning from team leader through platoon sergeant. My conflict resolution skills have greatly evolved through my twelve years in the Army, from rudimentary conversations to in depth problem solving. My professional development has had a profound effect on my leadership abilities, from NCOPD’s to mentorship from senior non-commissioned officers (NCO’s).
Anyone that serves in the military can agree that at some point in your career you will serve in a leadership position and be expected to uphold the basics of guiding and inspiring others. As a Soldier I consistently seek the next position of responsibility and leadership. I seek these positions not for my own personal gain but to share my experience and knowledge and to further develop myself, others and our Armed Forces. Becoming an Army Officer is not just an increase in pay or rank, it is taking the next step to be in a position that I can maximize my potential to develop myself and others. Society expects our military officers to be professional leaders that can make decisions in stressful situations, adapt and overcome any obstacle, and
There are several leaders that I have admired in my career over the years. One in particular that stood out was a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force who I served under. He was a very intelligent and vibrant leader who placed importance in military customs and core values. He was one whom I emulated in the military because of his task –motivated leadership style. He focused on the goals of the organization with the emphasis on service before self. The implications of his style of leadership lead me to believe that there was little to no relationships formed with lower ranking airmen. He was always able to get the job done because of the driven culture he represented. I learned a wealth of knowledge and information from this particular leader; I was able to create a balance by embracing his style of leadership and relating it with my style, transformational leadership. I believe it was successful, because of my efforts to focus in on the mission and create a balance in inspiring, influencing, and motivating Airmen across the globe.
As leaders, we must maintain a clear separation between ourselves and those we lead, both, on and off duty. I’m not saying that you and I are better than anyone else; however, as leaders we are charged with tremendous responsibilities and are held to higher standards. To put in bluntly, “we cannot lead soldiers and act like the soldiers”. Do not be a soldier’s buddy! We cannot get away with the indiscretions that out soldiers may because we must lead by example.
Leadership goals should always contain methods of a continuous process of learning through education, training, and individual experiences that help ensure that the message will be communicated in a confident and competent manner when leading troops. Soldiers tend to follow leaders that demonstrate and live the Army values, while displaying their confidence in every decision that affects change. Leaders are not born as organizational or tactical leaders; but grown by their genetic determinism, which is inside and the characteristics they work toward; that mold is which type leader they will become. Not just anyone can lead; you must have the desire to lead, be willing to make the commitment to being a leader, and prepare yourself properly, then you have the desire to become a leader. (Fulton, 1995).
Summary: In this article the authors are addressing future leaders, and they immediately inform the reader that because there is more complexity considerably more complex issues and technologies than a century ago in the operational military environment, there is a great need for military leaders to achieve autonomy in terms of adapting to and learning about the evolving environment. In short, leaders must be smarter and better prepared for a changing world.
The United States Army is in a state of decline. The Army’s senior leaders are either oblivious to the decline or only care about the popular issues such as sexual harassment or hazing. Today’s junior leaders are either incompetent, feel their hands are tied, or simply do not get the backing from their senior leaders in order to effectively make changes. Our senior leaders blame their junior leaders, and our junior leaders blame their senior leaders. The fact of the matter is that all leaders, from the Chief of Staff of the Army to newest Corporal that was recently promoted this month, have to lead.
The day we join the military we take an oath to “obey those appointed over me”; thus beginning the journey on the path of followership. Too often we view followership more along the lines of sheep blindly following the leader, this is not the case. An effective follower
In today’s day and age the United States of America has the most powerful military in the world this is because of the hard work our servicemen provide to the military. To have an effective military excellent leaders are needed, leaders who are able to lead and follow in the same manner. The U.S. Army is the largest and most important service branch in the United States military containing a total of 98,126 active officers in its force. The U.S. Army breeds officers who distinguish themselves by having traits such as drive, great physical fitness, long term and short term goals, even the ability to lead and be led by others, and learn from others and their mistakes. A good and effective Army officer needs to have ambition and intent, enough
Today’s military leadership was defined and cultured through revolutions, civil war, conflicts, and currently a combat era lasting almost ten years. Through recent leadership development changes brought on by former Secretary of the Army, Dr. Francis Harvey, the military has become an entity trying to keep ahead of the incessant derogatory diversions to the honorable way of life impeding military leadership everyday. Disregard for human life, loss of the moral compass, innuendo, and complacency have caused the hierarchy to struggle with the leadership model that has formed the civilian populace and ultimately, the future leaders of the military.
Leadership is crucial part of today’s army and leaders play a huge role in the accomplishment of the mission. I believe this is true, because leaders are the guys who are in close contact with the younger soldiers. They are the ones who counsel the soldiers and make them better and make a plan for that soldier to improve and become a better soldier. Leaders play a major role in the accomplishment of the mission, because officers and higher leaders cannot be everywhere at once, so they need a person they can trust to lead the charge and tackle the mission the right way
Throughout history our country has had many leaders. Whether you’re the leader of a business, military platoon, or the leader of our great nation you were withheld with the honor and trust to govern the actions and best interests of fellow Americans. But just because you have achieved the title of a leader does not by default make you a good leader. A good leader is a person who has risen above and beyond to show cooperation, perseverance, and respect to decisions made by those still above you at one point in time. “As a seasoned member of the military, you’ve risen through the ranks because you understood your mission and performed your duties with distinction. At this stage of your career, your most important contribution may be how well you take care of the service members and