Lead From The Front, Not From The Rear

As a combat veteran who served 20-plus years in the armed forces, I have only seen 4 leaders, the rest were opportunists in leadership positions that led in a way that was the world according to them. A leader is someone who represents his crew, supports and encourages, gives direction, sets goals, and acknowledges his team's strengths and weaknesses. Here are some tips from this salty veteran:

Be Right and Just

Respect your people, I have seen time and time again, that subordinates get treated like working beas, doing slave labor, this is bad for morale, and they will feel disenfranchised. In order to be a great leader, you have to start as a great follower, to be in those shoes before, will instill empathy towards others. Subordinates who feel that their fearless leader is sincerely interested in their well-being are generally more productive and innovative, once they know that you have their back, they will follow to the ends of the earth.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do...NOT!

Lead by example, I have seen so many Faux Leaders make inspirational speeches about drinking responsibly, but then we see that same guy at the base gate in his tighty whitey underwear, drunker than a skunk, very bad look for these wannabe fearless leaders. Be true to your word, or you will be looked at as one of many jokers in a leadership role. Leading by example is a leadership style where you model the behavior you want to see in your team members. When you lead by example, you don't push team members toward excellence, rather, you actively demonstrate that excellence.

Know Your People

Take time to listen to your crew, and get different perspectives, because at the end of the day, it's about the completion of the mission, all the egos need to fly out the window. This will establish the proper climate for the free flow of information and problem resolution.

Think Outside The Box

Ask yourself the what, where, why, who, when, and how of every situation, for critical problem solving, which would give you the ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems.

Say No To Micromanagement

Micromanagement does not work, it's demeaning, delegating authority builds confidence and responsibility, and ushers in a new generation of leaders.

The Moral of the Story is Human-Centered Leadership

Ultimately, whether it's on the battlefield or in the boardroom, the heart of a leader lies in prioritizing people and purpose above all else. By adopting these human-centered approaches to leadership, you can tap into a culture of trust, collaboration, and shared purpose that drives individual and team success.

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