Leading The Marines: My Leadership Journey

I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 2002, and was promoted through the ranks quickly assuming the role of a leader. At the age of 19, I had pinned on Corporal (E-4), and embarked on my on-the-job training in leadership. Spending time with the Marines prior to being promoted, I knew their personalities, strengths and weaknesses, and what motivated them. Reassuring that "if I 'm going to have followers then I better interact with them well and know what 's going on with them" (BMAL 500 Audio Lecture Series). Therefore, I had an early advantage in "the ability to influence a group toward the achievement of a vision or set of goals" (Robbins & Judge, 2009, p. 385). The basis of my leadership was the rank on my collar and that my higher command believed I was a good Marine and competent to

While on active duty, higher enlisted Marines told that I was a mid-manager and my experience, as a Corporal would prepare me for management in the civilian world. However, Robbins and Judge (2009) explained the difference between leadership and management in that "management brings about order and consistency by drawing up formal plans, designing rigid organizational structures, and monitoring results against the plan. Leadership…is about coping with change… [and establishing] direction by developing a vision of the future" (Robbins & Judge, 2009, p. 385). Lesson 6 explained the difference that "leaders are mandated to convey the big picture ideas of an organization and to inspire people" and management make sure things are going efficiently and effectively (BMAL 500 Audio Lecture Series). I learned leadership and gain strength in my abilities to mentor subordinates raise morale, communication skills in task completion and counseling, and being an effective example. Thus, I learned leadership and not management as a Corporal according to