I Am A Visionary And Ethical Leader

In Col J. William DeMarco’s essay, Leadership Philosophy 101: Who Are You?, he states that every leader must have a direction and a personal vision. Col DeMarco calls this concept “Leadership Philosophy,” a concept which resonates through many of the assigned readings. My personal philosophy focuses on servant leadership at its core. Servant leadership is defined as “serving subordinates as much, or more, than they serve their bosses.” Servant leaders don’t stay behind desks, they address the needs of their Airmen, and take care of them like family. The commander interview highlights the critical nature of this leadership method. This paper will compare my personal philosophy with those of my commander and his past leadership crisis

Extraordinary leaders possess empathic skills; are confident, optimistic, and honest; have a strong sense of focus and inspiration; embody personal courage and resilience; and readily display respect, integrity and humility. Extraordinary leaders are committed to making positive differences by using effective decision making skills; by employing self-reflective practices; by remaining cognizant and aware of the systems they have developed; and by being totally accountable for their actions. Leaders in today’s Army, “influence their organizations to accomplish missions. Today’s Army leaders “act decisively, within the higher commander’s intent, and in the best interest of the organization” regardless of where they fall in the leadership continuum. (ADP 6-0 Mission Command

Leaders are look upon as role models as they guide us with their motivating, influence to accomplish tasks. There are a lot of leadership styles; when leading, it is based on the situation. When I was in the military, I encountered with many different styles of leadership. A leadership that I considered meaningful is a Transformational Leader. The transformational Leader in the military with their inspiring charisma of motivating, influence creates a visualized path that produces energetic characteristics that inhere to new changes, developments, and possibilities.; by demonstrating authority, the Transformational Leader in the military utilizes their power to inspire and motivate people into trusting and following their example; this as

Leadership can be viewed in many different ways and possess many different qualities. There are courageous leaders, respectful leaders, terrible leaders, and seemingly insignificant leaders but leaders nonetheless. But what is it that differentiates between a strong leader and a weak leader, or a powerful leader and an insignificant one? Is it the qualities in the leader or the decisions they make in key situations that define good leadership qualities? Some would define a good leader by their ability to do the right thing even if it is not the easiest choice. Others might define a good leader as one that possesses great integrity and leads by example. The military possesses many great leaders through a process of development and molding individuals to meet expected leadership qualities like honor, courage, commitment and integrity to accomplish any mission or goal. However, this process doesn’t always create the desired effect. So, let’s examine some good and bad examples of leadership qualities and break down what and how we can emulate them.

As a professional leader, role models are an important source of inspiration and development. The ability to deliberately aim to improve as a leader is equally important. In the Army, the Leadership Requirements Model found in doctrine provides the framework necessary to make those deliberate improvements. This framework presents the opportunity to analyze our leadership role models using the Leadership Requirements Model and assess how that leader has contributed to the Army or the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps. Additionally, it is important to apply the same analysis to how that role model has influenced our own leadership. Lastly, with these considerations in mind, leaders can project into the future and determine what kind of legacy they wish to leave. The purpose of this analysis is to explore these opportunities and the relationships between doctrinal leadership, a legacy leader, and my own leadership and legacy. My father, retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Nelson Stydinger, had a significant influence on the profession during his own service. He also represents my most important leadership influence throughout my career and his record informs the type of legacy I would like to leave as an Army leader.

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.

“The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.” This quote is profound in it’s own right but does it portray an author who is ethical and visionary? Could a man become a four-star general, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State without holding these principles near and using them as a guide? As we explore Colin Powell’s legacy, we’ll find out.

SFC (Ret.) Mark C. Daw is the subject of this Leader’s Legacy paper. SFC Daw served for over twenty years in the United States Army Signal Corps. SFC Daw served during the Cold War in the Berlin Brigade, in Operation Desert Storm, in Bosnia during Implementation Force (I-FOR), and in Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06. A career paratrooper, SFC Daw’s leadership style involved leading from the front at all times, superior tactical and technical proficiency, a hand of discipline tempered by wisdom, and developing his Soldiers professionally and personally. SFC Daw’s example serves as one worthy of emulation by all Soldiers, regardless of expertise or field. I am the Soldier I am today because of SFC Daw.

What are the best qualities, or traits to have absolutely no vision? How does a person become unethical? In would be very interesting if people actually asked these questions, but actually the opposite has been proven useful for those that strive to become visionary and ethical leaders. This is especially true for the great Ronald Reagan. The combination of a highly admirable ethics, and great visionary accomplishments has made Ronald Reagan one of the most important American Presidents and leaders in history. This essay will give a better understanding of why Ronald Reagan was a visionary leader, to include specific examples of his visionary leadership traits. Then an examination of why he is an ethical leader to include two specific displays that proved he was an ethical leader when tested will be accomplished. Once those are all presented, I will take the time to explain the personal relevance and impact this has on my leadership. To further understand this, an evaluation of Roland Reagan’s Visionary Leadership needs to be accomplished first.

When retired General Petraeus’ name is uttered, some recall his stellar 28 year career culminating in the stabilization of war-torn Iraq while everyone remembers his extramarital affair culminating in the release of classified information to his mistress. Similar to a Shakespearian play full of scandal that ends in tragedy, I will assert how General Petraeus is a visionary leader by stabilizing war-torn Iraq from 2007 to 2008 who became an unethical leader while serving as the director of the CIA by having an extramarital affair and releasing classified information to his mistress. To enhance my claim that he is a visionary leader, I will be focusing on his transformational leadership behavior of inspirational motivation and “Lewin’s Phases of Change” during the stabilization efforts. To enhance my claim that he is unethical, I will focus on two contributing factors to his affair and release of confidential material which are: the ethical trap of loyalty syndrome and the ineffective use of intellectual integrity. Finally, I will be detailing my personal relevance utilizing visionary leadership to revector my organization before a Nuclear Surety Inspection and how I became an unethical leader while serving as a team chief in my earlier years. In order to stabilize war-torn Iraq in 2007, a visionary leader was required to enact a revolutionary plan to ease the mind of the American public.

This essay will explain why he’s a visionary leader using an example from his time early in his military career as well as when he was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, concepts from Full Range Leadership (FRL),

There are a number of significant difficulties for today’s military - the Global War on Terrorism or what has recently been termed the “Long War;” weapon system acquisitions and personnel draw downs. The focus of this paper is on one strategic component of the military quest—Leadership. More specifically, it will center on servant leadership and its impact on the military’s vision.

It is useful to examine leaders from the past and use their example as building blocks to further develop strategic leadership qualities. The Right to Lead Assessment Model (RLAM) defines “above the Red Line” leadership as using all of one’s abilities to be relevant. General George C. Marshall is an excellent example of successful strategic leadership that spanned two world wars and bridged multiple organizations. His impressive career demonstrates what a significant impact he had organizationally, environmentally, and publicly on the world and an entire generation.

General Powell displays transformation leadership through individualized consideration. “IC involves dealing with others as individuals and considering their needs, abilities, and aspirations as you work together to further their development.” General Powell’s Army background influences the idea of taking raw iron and fashioning it into a sword; as noted in his quote “leaders are made, not born” implies leadership is a shaping process. Transformational leaders who display individual consideration tend to coach and mentor, excel in two-way communications, listens effectively, and personalize interactions with subordinates. Part of General Powell’s principle of empowerment is an investment in the leadership potential of team members. This investment is necessary in sustaining productive organizations.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” (Lincoln 1863). Most Americans recognize the Gettysburg address and our minds recall Abraham Lincoln, a master of diction and a stellar leader. Who could have been such a visionary leader to inspire Lincoln to say those words? Why did Lincoln have to say those words while standing at a Pennsylvania battlefield cemetery during one of our nation’s bloodiest wars? In this paper I will answer both of those questions because I won’t be talking about Abraham Lincoln, I will be discussing our nation’s third president and principle author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. I’m going to discuss why he was a visionary leader who inspired a nation but not the ethical leader he should have been. Furthermore, I will elaborate on how his actions are relevant to me as a leader in today’s Air Force, and I will do all of this by concentrating on his most famous contribution to his country, the Declaration of Independence.