When a tough job needs to get done, America sends in its best . . . The United States Marine Corps. Young business managers can learn a lot by studying leadership lessons from the United States military. Confidence, boldness, initiative, and teamwork are just some of the skills one can learn. Early in my career I read a book on leadership which had a profound effect on me and how I managed myself, my boss, my staff, and my business. Here are those secrets.
What It Takes to be a Leader!
Knowledge — Know your job, your team mates, your boss, your company, your product, your competition. Understand how your corporate culture works and how to use it your advantage.
Integrity — Your team depends upon you for honest, solid, dependable leadership.
Courage — Sometimes hard decisions must be made. Be prepared to stand up and defend those decisions.
Decisive — Be sure you have all the facts. Weigh them. Then make a decision as quickly as possible. Communicate your decisions in clear, easy-to-understand terms. DO NOT put off making your decision. Problems only get bigger the longer they go unresolved. Keep your manager informed and part of your team.
Dependable — Get the job done regardless of obstacles. Be on time for meetings. Return phone calls and e-mails as soon as possible. Always be available for your team! Support them and they will always “have your back!”
Initiative — Think ahead. Anticipate what needs to be done. Don’t wait to be told. Take that extra step for yourself, your boss, your team.
Tact — Be fair, but firm. Conduct yourself both verbally and emotionally with dignity. Don’t ever lose control. If a team member needs “reading off” then do it . . . but in private. Don’t make a spectacle of them or yourself by doing it in public. On the other hand, when a team member does a good job, let everyone hear about it in public via a memo, e-mail, or in a management meeting.
Enthusiasm — Show it! Let the team know how important the product you are working on is to the success of your brand and the corporation. Enthusiasm spreads like wildfire. It will infect everyone and that’s good! Enthusiasm leads to success!
Loyalty — The Marines live by their motto “Semper Fidelis” . . . always faithful! It should be your motto too. As a team leader your words and actions must reflect your loyalty to your team. Back up your staff. Support them and their ideas. Guide them with your experience and knowledge.
Judgement — It comes with experience. Use your chain of command. That’s what they are there for. Remember to keep your manager informed. Finally, apply all the traits listed above to help guide you in your decisions.
Adapted from: Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. GUIDEBOOK FOR MARINES. 14th Revised Edition. Quantico, VA. Marine Corps Association , 1982
Kirk Bozigian's: Marketing Leads the Way 