As an American part of our tradition around Memorial Day weekend is to honor the sacrifices made by patriots to earn our nation’s freedom. It is often celebrated by visiting the graves of fallen airmen, marines, soldiers, and sailors. Many families also choose to celebrate this day of remembrance with their families, pausing to remember those who give us our freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. As newly minted college graduates enter our workforce today, let us remember why our country is so great.
This week the five Service Academies: The United States Air Force Academy, The United States Coast Guard Academy, The United States Naval Academy (my Alma matter), The United States Merchant Marine Academy, and The United States Military Academy will commission young officers at the same time as granting these young men and women college degrees.
The Citadel and Virginia Military Institute, as well as other private colleges and state universities with ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) programs will also grant commissions to a few of the elite leaders of our nation.
Let us not forget the enlistments of adolescents’ fresh from graduating high school. They provide the backbone and strength of our nation’s highly-trained precision-based military.
These men and women have chosen to volunteer a minimum of 8-10 years of their life for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure our nation remains safe and secure so that other people may choose to pursue jobs in the professions of their choice. Some of these brave, courageous men and women will give their lives. At this point in history, our military holds the highest numbers and levels of trained professionals both in the enlisted and officer ranks. What is it that puts our service members a cut about the rest of the world’s militaries? And how can these traits impact the other young professionals entering America’s workforce today?
If you’re just now entering the workforce, or have been there for some time why not reflect a moment on whether you possess these characteristics, and what you can do to make your organization better:
Leadership by Example
Many of the national leadership programs preparing young high school and college graduates follow the same philosophy that to lead you must do so by example. Actions speak much louder than words. Who would you rather follow, someone directing you from afar, or someone that is standing right next to you as you overcome challenges? Leading by example holds not only the leader accountable, but also those underneath him or her, because a leader’s credibility depends on following through and carrying out actions that mirror the vision, purpose, and mission statement of their organization.
Valuing Ethics and Character
When you take an oath to be a leader who will put God, country, and others before self, you require a person to take responsibility for the growth of those enlisted in his or her charge. America is a melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and races. Its’ strength lies in its diversity. And, at the heart of every individual lies an internal compass, which guides him or her in what’s right or wrong. The strength of a person’s character depends on how cognizant a person is of upholding a common code of ethics so that everyone’s rights are both honored and protected. Justice prevails. Honor and respect are a given, and consequences are enforced when one trails from an organization’s rules of operation. Think about how your organization respects the differences between men and women, and how you honor this dynamic.
Decisions Made at the Lowest Tactical Level
Many lessons have been learned from those who have gone before us. And today’s military is a powerhouse, because it has chosen to drill lessons learned after every tactical and operational engagement—whether it is in training or during war. Lessons learned not only helps us from repeating the same mistake it also honors those that came before us and the lives lost during our fight for freedom. One of the biggest lessons learned during the last fifty years is that decisions must be entrusted to those fighting on the ground. There are rules of engagement in the military, and because of the emphasis on developing every single service man and woman’s leadership potential this is a reality in our military. Other militaries require decisions to be made by senior military officials, and when time is of the essence the decisions tend to be too late at the cost of lives and equipment lost. When organizations are able to entrust leadership decisions to be made at the lowest level, then their actions, and therefore their responses are in real-time. Something that is much needed in our technology-driven society.
Highly Skilled Leaders in Emotional Intelligence
The last area that the military excels at—and one I attest to as a former Marine Corps officer—is acting on the premise people are your high value asset. When it comes down to getting a job done, it is not the weaponry or equipment which matters, it is the people. The more emotionally attuned you are to gender communication styles, personality typing, active listening, and both verbal and nonverbal communication—the better you are able to lead, because you know how to connect on a genuine level with others. The personal connection with everyone you meet is your most important capability over time. Implementing systems and leading from the front requires inspiration to greatness not motivation from behind.
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