How To Write A Leadership Philosophy

The military is comprised of leaders and followers: this concept of leadership is the foundation of the military, leaders are the decision makers, and followers carry out their decisions. These decision makers are the role models the followers have a great deal of respect for and should admire. A good leader is decisive, has integrity, and leads by example. Being entrusted to lead, to mold the individuals around you into a cohesive unit is a special opportunity and only a few in respects to the total population are commissioned. General Colin L. Powell stated, “The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will

Being a leader is more than simply holding a leadership position or having the ability to lead. Everyone is capable of being a leader, but not everyone exercises his or her leadership abilities. Each person’s idea of leadership is different. My idea of leadership has developed over time, and being a member of the President’s Leadership Class has helped me develop my philosophy of leadership further than what it was two months ago. My personal philosophy of leadership is the ability to effect change through leading by example, taking initiative, and encouraging others.

Army leaders must balance the link between the Army’s culture and it’s climate and institutional practices. When there is a proper balance it has a huge impact on the mindset of the Army’s Soldiers. Their actions or inactions impacts the five key attributes of the profession, and the four fields of expertise, and have long term effects on the Army’s culture and climate. These actions influence Soldiers’ perceptions that they are serving professional who have answered the call of service to the republic, it is important that Soldiers understand that their role is a calling and not just a job.

The Army's definition of leadership is “the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization.” An army leader is anyone who inspires and influences people to accomplish their goals. Leaders motivate people both inside and outside the army to help them pursue their goals, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the better of the army. Leadership can be acquired by anyone as long as they have the self-determination to do so. The main principles of leadership in the army are broken down in to the acronym LDRSHIP (loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage), characteristics the army aims to instilled in each

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).

APD 6-22 defines a leader as anyone who by virtue of assumed role or assigned responsibility inspires and influences people to accomplish organizational goals. As a “street to seat” guy I do not have prior leadership experience as an NCO, but as I have progressed as a Warrant Officer I have learned a great deal about leadership. For this discussion post I will discuss two topics: what I’ve learned about being a leader as a Warrant Officer, and how decentralized leadership is utilized in my unit.

When I joined the Coast Guard 21 years ago, I would never have guessed I would be writing a memo based on my leadership philosophy. My first two years and ten days in the Coast Guard was the most miserable I have ever been. I was one of two females at a Small Boat Station in Rockland, Maine. My roommate and I were treated differently, to say the least. We were the only two mess cooks out of 20 non-rated personnel. Her and I would switch every other month for more than one year. It took us twice as long as the men to get communication room and boat crew qualified. We had to do colors only in the rain or snow. We were assigned Extra Military Instruction (EMI), like throwing heaving lines for hours on the pier, because we were “weaker” than men. Our BM3, who was the Master at Arms (MAA) would unlock our barracks room and try to climb in bed with us when he was drunk. We had to move furniture in front of the door to keep him out. My Chief Boatswains Mate put me in a Gumby suit and he dropped me off the side of the small boat, in to the water, in October, at night - to see if they could “find me” again. I was in the water for more than one hour. These things are important to know, because as an 18-year old girl from a small town, the actions, as well as lack of action of these men would shape almost every aspect of the leader and person I have become today.

“A leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations. Unlike management, leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring” (Ubben, 2017). My thoughts will focus on what is achievable even when things seem difficult to move forward. A genuine leader knows how to be flexible when it comes to their crew, able to distinguish each individual’s strengths, and capable to motivate and reassure the team to succeed. I will lead by example and give my best in whatever I partake in. It is important for soldiers to recognize that as a leader I will not participate for the sake of contributing. A leader should actively engage themselves in activities that involves soldiers instead of being a spectator. I believe leaders who participate in activities with their soldiers tend to gain more respect from their soldiers. A leader with tangible goals in their leadership philosophy will keep everyone focused and lead everyone without any distractions. My expectations for my soldiers are to ensure they give their best in everything they do.

Leadership can be defined in many different facets. To me the definition of leadership is, “Displaying the ability to inspire and empower others through the example of one’s own self actions”. Too many times we hear, “Do what I say”, instead of, “Do what I do.” A successful leader’s actions speak louder than words ever will. My first day in the Coast Guard following boot camp graduation, I experienced firsthand on how a leader should not act nor conduct themselves. Though alcohol was the main contributing factor on what occurred that evening, looking back, it was more of the lack of maintaining our core values that ultimately resulted in that Chief losing the title as Chief of the boat and being forced to retire.. That moment left a negative impression on me and it took a horrific car accident that landed me in the office of whom I consider as my most influential leader I have had in my career. Master Chief Richard Wolfe was someone that led by example. He helped broaden my vision and let me see my own potential. He always inspired me to not only better myself, but ensured that I challenged myself to learn something new each day. He would often say, “Challenges are just opportunities in disguise”, and it wasn’t until I advanced to Chief Petty Officer to truly understand what he meant. Far too often we get caught up in the present instead of focusing what is on the horizon and that is how complacency becomes the new norm.

No one is more professional than I. I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army”. For over 200 years the Army has served the people of the United States with citizens who have volunteered to serve. Throughout the years one thing has remained the same, the Army has grown, changed and adapted to meet the needs as an ever-changing world.

Leadership, according to the Army doctrine, represents individuals’ ability to influence people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization (“Leadership” FM 6-22). However, the varying characteristics of individuals that the Army attracts may instill this doctrine in many different ways, leading to different representations of leadership. Some individuals choose to lead their subordinate in a stern matter, only displaying matured emotions and a “tough-loving” attitude to guide them in the right direction. Others

As stewards of our profession, commanders ensure that military expertise continues to develop and be passed on to aspiring professionals through operational development. It is during this developmental phase that Professional Soldiers put their knowledge and skills to the test. Operational Army units certify and recertify their Professional Soldiers through repetitive and realistic training events including the Combat Life Saver Course, platoon live fires, and exercises at the National Training Center. In the course of these challenging and realistic experiences, the Army’s operational units develop Soldiers and leaders prepared to maintain high standards, discipline, and operational readiness. Operational development and adaptability will continue to drive changes in Army doctrine, organization, leadership, and education as we enter the post-war era. Without this kind of development, the Army could not maintain a well-disciplined professional fighting force.

The army values use it as an acronym, leadership. The army is very adamant that all soldiers can be leaders, maybe that is true, but in my 15 years in, I did not see it that way. I am going to write my journal on what may just be my jaded perspective of how we define leadership, but I feel it is important as many law enforcement agencies are taking the same type of approach. I do not think that all people can be leaders. I don’t think it is something that is completely genetic, but I also don’t think it can be taught fully either. I think it is something similar to epigenetics in psychology. There may be traits that everyone has, but some early life events will help “flip the switch” psychologically. The military likes to say that there are different leadership styles. I think that at the core, that philosophy is wrong. Different people may have different ways of interacting with those that must listen, but at the core leadership should always have the same basic tenants. I think that the Army used the term leadership because it sounds better than manager or enforcer. I am going to use this journal to discuss why and how I see the issue of leadership and maybe in doing so I will change my mind on how I feel when someone self proclaims they are a leader or it is used so often in speech that it makes me question who is trying to convince whom of the leadership status.

How I formed my leadership philosophy: throughout my career I have worked for many different styles of leaders who all had a different style of leadership. They also had individual ways to deliver their message; these leaders are what helped me create my personal leadership philosophy and style.

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