Military Leadership Philosophy Examples

supporting them in their work as well as providing oversight. All directives given from me will be clear,

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.

An Army Leader is able and willing to act decisively, within the intent and purpose of his superior leaders, and in the best interest of the organization. Army leaders recognize that organizations built on mutual trust and confidence, successfully accomplish peacetime and wartime missions.” (2006, P. Viii). Balance molds a leader and in turn, an effective leader is a proactive person who works a whole lot smarter. President George Bush (1997) states, “Leadership to me means duty, honor, and country; It means character and it means listening from time to time.” (Adrain, p. 35).

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).

My leadership philosophy stems from my experience in the Army. As a leader, I believe in honesty, commitment, and respect for others. All responsibilities should be carried out in a timely manner. My main priority is the well-being of my Soldiers. My Soldiers can expect me a leader that is caring, dedicated, and upholds the standards.

Looking for ways to improve the outcome of every situation from the smallest detail to the big picture is a way of life for outstanding leaders. They are respected and relied upon. Their past actions, integrity and trustworthiness has earned them the confidence of Officers and fellow Soldiers.

Throughout my life and my military career I have experienced various leadership styles, from civilian employers to military Officers and Non-Commissioned officers alike. Each had their own approach to leadership, some I found to be effective and others I did not. I have attempted to create a leadership philosophy based on a fusion of the leaders I have encountered and my own personal experiences.

Forthcoming and honest attitudes from the beginning will set a team up for success. One of my best leadership attributes is that I am honest with my Soldiers. I give them candid feedback, both good and bad, and I tell them exactly what I expect of them and what they can expect from me. On the other hand, one of my biggest weaknesses is that sometimes I react in an extremely blunt manner when I should use more tact or take a less severe approach. Whenever I deal with conflicts between my Soldiers, I tell them my honest opinion.

In order to be an effective leader, you have to be able to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses. You have to be able to lead by example and never require a Soldier to attempt any task you would not do yourself. You have to possess traits that you would like to see in others; such as, respect, discipline, honesty, commitment, trust, and understanding. I try to carry out my responsibilities by always placing my Soldiers needs above my own. I not only take care of my Soldiers administratively, but I discipline and reward when applicable. I am sensitive to the needs of my Soldiers as well as that of their families. Families play a vital role in the success of the mission. If a Soldier is not happy at home then he/she will not be able to focus and train to standard in garrison or the battlefield. I provide support systems and resources to all Soldiers who feel that they may need some extra assistance, or even a listening ear. The Army has many protocols in place to assist Soldiers when in need. I work relentlessly to ensure that Soldiers are well developed, effectively trained, and properly

“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do

When leading troops it is essential for the leader to understand his or her command environment and how they fit in to that environment. For me, becoming an effective leader begins with this: How do I fit in to my organization and what can I offer my organization and the Soldiers that look to me for guidance. To become an effective leader I have had to address this issue first and foremost. My philosophy is simple, know the needs of the organization, know my personal strengths and weaknesses, and know my Soldiers. This is the philosophy that I try to pass to my subordinates. By knowing these three simple statements I have found that I can become a more effective team member as well as leader to both enlisted and officers alike who look to me for guidance.

Schooling: I will support you in your desire to attend schooling both civilian and military. In order to further your careers, you must attend schools. I will not be the one that stops you from attending schools. If you are eligible to attend, I will sign off on

A leader is not always the first to have an idea, but should be the one who is always seeking out new solutions. One way of being a productive leader is discovering new ways to accomplish a set of tasks while maintaining a positive attitude. If a soldier is demonstrating a bad attitude because he feels that he can not accomplish a task then my job as a leader, would be to steadily encourage that soldier to work at being all that he can be.

My thoughts, assumptions and personal values on leadership have developed over many years, simply holding the title as leader or manager is much more than being able to actually lead, and this ability is not a quality that everyone has, good bad or indifferent. Over the past seven weeks I have developed and grown in my own leadership philosophies.

I believe that to be a good leader doesn’t necessarily define as someone who sets a goal and directs people to achieve it, but as someone who may have to adapt to change based off their surroundings and situations. A leader should be someone who is able to guide with not only direction but also logic, understanding, and an open mind. Oskar Schindler proved with continued leadership that even the most dismal situations may be able to change your values and based off those values change your actions and the direction in which you choose to lead and how you influence.