Initiative
Today we are going to talk about initiative. There are 2 definitions to the word Initiative. The first definition is, the ability to assess and initiate things independently. The second definition is, the power or opportunity to or take charge before others do. Some synonyms of initiative are, advantage, edge, lead, whip hand, and trump card. There are many ways to show initiative like taking charge of a group to get things done faster. Also, doing correspondence courses or learning things you haven't learned before when there is no task given out. Initiative is a very important part of a person in general. The reason being for having this as the most important part is because if you show initiative then you will not look like a
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Many leaders look for this in their soldiers because they want soldiers they can trust to do things when they are not around. They also look for this in soldiers because they want to make sure that one day if leadership goes down that they have the initiative to take charge and get everyone out of the danger zone safe. Not just that but also be able to do certain missions when you are not with your leadership but as an attachment to other units. Initiative is very important to the military because soldiers are expected to be leaders and always supposed to set the example. You are expected to be this way because once you get out of the military your supposed to keep setting the example of showing the initiative to stay on track. Also when you get out of the military you have the title of prior service and many as veterans must maintain your discipline and keep not just yourself but keep a good name for the military. Many find having initiative hard but its something you have to practice and master on your own. You can't go through life without initiative because that just shows people you can't do things on your own and always need someone there for you. Also part of growing up is having initiative you are taught from being a kid till you move out of your parents house that's what your parents
“Military leadership qualities are formed in a progressive and sequential series of carefully planned training, educational, and experiential events—far more time-consuming and expensive than similar training in industry or government. Secondly, military leaders tend to hold high levels of responsibility and authority at low levels of our organizations. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, military leadership is based on a concept of duty, service, and self-sacrifice; we take an oath to that effect.”
...onate commander and skilled tactician who reshaped the way America goes to war during an era of protracted combat.” (Just don’t) Not only do these traits prove to be effective on a day-to-day basis, but as Morgan & Lynch (2006) declare, there are also a set of key leadership principles that Mattis tries to adhere to as well. They are “to meet and exceed the standard you ask of others-lead from the front, to make timely decisions, seek to take responsibility before you begin to place blame, take care of those you lead, and always lead as you are” along with my personal favorite, “courage + initiative + perseverance + integrity = success” (pp. 6). Ultimately, whether you choose to define them as traits or principles they can be summed up by the age-old saying of “do unto others as you would have done unto you”. How you would want to follow is the way you should lead.
Soldiers have different roots and upbringing as well as backgrounds. Keeping all these different backgrounds together and still at the end of the day accomplishing our mission is the Army’s goal. Leaders use self-awareness and mental agility to see if things are going well or need (to be) changed within their teams and unit. They can identify with their Soldiers and help if needed. As a good leader once told me, “one bad apple can ruin the bunch”. Not being proactive when change is needed can make the culture of the unit very toxic. All units have command climate surveys and equal opportunity Soldiers within their units. This helps make the work force more aware of others feelings and attitudes toward each other. Having these in place promotes the changes that we need to make our work place better, and our Army stronger. Not only does this effect the way we work with Soldiers, but with the people outside our organization as well. This is especially important as human resource Soldiers. We are the face that most of these people encounter and form what opinion our units and the Army is to
Marines can greatly develop this leadership trait through every day practice. Accepting all tasks, embracing each challenge with the desire to triumph is the hallmark of the legendary Marines we are inspired by each and every day. It does not take combat to denote courage. Likewise, the development and enhance of our courage will result in a keen ability to be
We lack being able to Charlie Mike, continue mission, if we are off balance. The role of leaders and leadership plays a critical part in the balancing role. If we do not have leaders and guidance we could fall short. If we fall short, we lose trust in the American people and our comrades. The Army’s culture and climate also play an important role in balance. Junior leaders learn from sergeant majors and general officers. If we do not have balance and structure from our leaders we lose confidence and motivation. Human Resource sergeants are trusted to get accountability, maintain soldier records, and help with soldier development. When we do our jobs right everything runs smoothly, therefore, we look better in the overall picture. Our military culture and climate build us and make us that small but important percent of Americans who fight for
Throughout an Army leader’s career, they are developed by those around them. For some it is those they consider peers, for others it is those that are appointed over them. No matter where the influence comes from every leader has someone that they looked up to. The leader that has affected me the most was my Platoon Sergeant at Fort Meade, SFC Miguel Luna Jr. SFC Luna’s leadership style closely matched mine.
It is key to have a good discipline in the army because without discipline we wouldn 't be able to complete our missions successfully or any
Respect is probably the most important trait that needs to be shown towards your superiors. Every Armed forces branch in the United States of America has a chain of command in which respect is the main premise behind the entire organization. Respect backs the ideals and leadership within any chain of command. Respect is important in the design of the military system itself. You have to automatically trust and do what higher ranking cadet, or any cadre member says because they hold power and most likely have more experience then you. You must show them respect to because they have more knowledge and know how, not to mention they have earned the stop they are in. Respect also tires into the worrier’s ethos, which is an important aspect of what it means to be a member of the army.
Where the commissioned officer use to be the ones relied on in the leadership roles, we now rely on a much larger spectrum from within the ranks. Us as leaders must be able to stand strong in our fields and become that role model for those to our left and right. As stated earlier, the American people must have trust in us as professionals but as quick as it can be earned, it can also be depleted. We as leaders must strive hold ourselves and others around us to the highest standards. The Noncommissioned Officer is the backbone of the Army for a reason. The decisions we make affect more than just our own person. It also drastically affects our family, the enemy, or an innocent on the battlefield. Doing what is right at all times is our job; it is what the American people expect and trust for us to do. Army White Paper, The Profession of Arms (08 December
A leader’s character, at its root, will encompass the Army Values and Warrior Ethos. Headquarters (2012) says, “integrity is a key mark of a leader’s character” (p. 6). Integrity is doing what is right, legally and morally, even when no one is looking. MSG Good embodies this moral code in everything he does.
This essay demonstrates leadership qualities along with leader developmental abilities by utilizing leadership fundamentals. Having vast military experience and knowledge over the span of my nine year career in the Army is the reason I am writing this essay about how I have developed junior noncommissioned officers (NCO) and my peers. I have enhanced the leadership skills of my subordinates through various activities by using past experiences and multiple trainings that I have accomplished. Leading by example and always from the front has given me the opportunity to develop junior NCOs. As a Platoon Sergeant (SGT), it is my
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
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
Many people have asked me how I ever made it through the Army with me being so introvert. I joined the Army at the age of 18 and by the time I turned 21 I was put in charge of Soldiers. Honestly I do not know how I was able to stand in front of my Soldiers and give them briefings on our mission. At times I had to stand in front of formation and lead our morning physical training in front of the whole company. I look back now and wonder that maybe I did not think about it much because it was an obligation to do it. In the military you are given this role to be a leader and what kind of leader would I be if I showed weakness to something as simple as physical training. Maybe I did not the feel pressure to do it because I was not exchanging words and carrying conversations, I was up front giving commands.
As General Dempsey states in his White Paper, “Leader development is an investment required to maintain the Army as a profession and is a key source of combat power. Leadership entails the repetitive exercise of discretionary judgments, all highly moral in nature, and represents the core function of the Army professional’s military art, whether leading a patrol in combat or making a major policy or budget decision in the Pentagon.”