Army Leaders Of Integrity

The Army defines leadership as “the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization” (ADRP 6-22, 1-1) In other words, the leaders are at the center of the group’s power structure, they keep the group together, they infuses life into it, they move it towards its goals, and they maintains its momentum. These basic guide lines have been implemented very successfully over the years, however, there are certain aspects that influence the overall effectiveness of an individual’s leadership. It is important to note, a leader never stops learning, President John F. Kennedy said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” (brainyquote.com). This means

that a leader is always improving, they are always striving to be better themselves and those beneath them. There a certain principles that are most important in this developmental growth, the intrinsic desire to achieve, character, and integrity are all essential and very important traits that a leader should possess.
The desire for a leader to achieve is essential. According to ADP 6-22, “Getting results is the goal of leadership but leaders must remain mindful that leading people and creating positive conditions enable them to operate as successful leaders” (ADP 6-22, 8). Achieving the goal of the team is a must, this goal cannot be accomplished unless the leader has built up trust with his subordinates. Vince Lombardi said, “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society” (vincelombardi.com). Thus, it can be said that the intrinsic will to achieve the task at hand requires the right level of delegation, empowerment and, trust balanced against the mission. The most important aspect of this leadership principle, is that it can be improved. General William T Sherman is a great example of this, Sherman was not a great leader at the beginning of the war, although he possessed the ability. He was able to grasp the ideals of command and better understand his soldiers, becoming one of the greatest leaders in the history of warfare (Marszalek). To be a good leader, one must accomplish tasks using a team, “getting results embraces all actions to get the job done on time and to standard” (ADRP 6-22, 8-1). Achieving the mission is extremely important, but there is another attribute that is a must with all leaders, integrity.
President Dwight D.

Eisenhower said, “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office” (brainyquote.com). According to ADRP 6-22, “Leaders of integrity consistently follow clear principles. The Army relies on leaders of integrity who possess high moral standards and are honest in word and deed” (ADRP 6-22, 3-3). Every leader needs integrity, as leaders, they set the example, they show up first and leave last, they are the ones that will have to help out their subordinates, this cannot be done without integrity. When the cards are on the table, the only thing left is an individual’s integrity. It is doing the right thing, even when it will cost you or hurt you. Ralph Emmerson states, “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind” (brainyquote.com). Thus, in terms of leadership, integrity is extremely important and can mean the difference between being a good office and a great

one.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." In ADP 6-22, it stats, Leaders who unwaveringly adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and unit standards build credibility with their subordinates and enhance trust from the American people they serve” (ADP 6-22, 6).

Character and integrity go hand and hand, however character is what truly separates individual leaders from each other. Character permits each leader to be unique, it’s what makes leadership an art form. Character gives leaders an identity, it allows them to connect with those above them and below them. According to ADRP 6-22, “Character is essential to successful leadership. It determines who people are, how they act, helps determine right from wrong, and choose what is right” (ADRP 6-22, 3-1). Thus, Character does separate good leaders from the great leaders, it allows leaders to be individuals. There is no end all be all formula for being a successful leader, but having a good character is definitely a common theme amongst the great military leaders that are still studied

today.
There a certain principles that are most important in the developmental growth of leaders, the intrinsic desire to achieve, character, and integrity are all essential and very important traits that a leader should possess. As mentioned prior, there is no magic formula to being a successful leader, every leader has a different style and every soldier is unique. However, a leader must adhere to these three very important traits if they wish to succeed, every great military leader exemplified these principles in some way. Therefore, these principles should be practiced and fabricated to improve the individual leader.