Army Leader Presence

Presence is a vital attribute for an Army Leader. When we encounter someone for the first time, we form a first impression of him or her. The way we appear through discipline and fitness, our confidence level with how we carry ourselves, and the way we act professionally are going to set the tone before we demonstrate our technical and tactical knowledge, capability, and proficiency in our profession. It is not just a matter of showing up; actions, words, and the manner in which we as leaders carry ourselves convey presence (Headquarters, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, 2012). The Army recognizes four areas that each leader should understand and develop to become an effective leader. Those areas are Military and Professional bearing,

Demands of a Soldier are tough, it can be at a physical level, or mental level; either one requires a degree of intestinal fortitude or a level of fitness so that we may successfully meet those demands and be fit to fight any battle. Both Soldiers and leaders operate in the most austere environments. We deploy to countries with high altitudes, negotiate challenging terrain, and deal with extreme climates wherever we go. Since leaders’ decisions affect their organizations effectiveness, health, and safety, it is an ethical and practical imperative for leaders to remain healthy and fit (Headquarters, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command,

When we work hard in specific areas and achieve goals, we gain in our confidence. Confidence is about finding a balance. Having too little creates doubt and raises anxiety levels among those involved, for example, a leader on the battlefield. We can also be over-confident, finding ourselves taking on too much risk and go beyond our capabilities. When a leader exudes confidence, it makes it easier for Soldiers to trust and have a desire to work for leaders. Therefore, as leaders it is vital we develop our confidence so that we can set the example for our Soldiers. Lastly, we will discuss resilience. It is inevitable that at some point throughout our life we have faced a personal crisis or a tragedy of some type, whether we were involved or not, it can take a toll on us. Resilience during these hard times gives us the ability to bounce back and move forward. Developing our resilience as a leader can help the way we view a challenge. We can focus our energy on events we have control over and where we have the greatest impact. Soldiers need to see leaders be resilient so they can know what right looks