Steven Rogers posted on September 01, 2010 00:08
September 2010 Navy
by LCDR Steven L. Rogers, USN
The history of leadership goes as far back in time as the prophets of old. The responsibility of leaders has never changed. Those of us in senior ranks have a responsibility and obligation to mentor young men and women who will be able to replace us once we sail our last voyage.
Leadership is a skill of motivating people to achieve common goals and objectives. The leader should be the inspiration that possesses the personality and abilities that make others want to follow his or her direction. Leadership is a winning combination of personal traits and the ability to think and act as a leader, a person who directs the activities of others for the good of all.
Now more than ever, our Navy needs fine leaders who are capable of uniting and inspiring the men and women serving under them. In my opinion, it is important for those of us who will be passing the “leadership torch” to the next generation of Sailors to select men and women who are trustworthy and hate dishonest gain, who are wise and respected by their peers and subordinates, who judge fairly, and who have a spiritual foundation that advocates strong moral principles and supports the core values which the United States Navy stands upon.
Navy leaders today bear a heavy burden. It is imperative that they serve as examples to those whom they are leading, by living in faith and by modeling a way of life that they want the next generation of leaders to exhibit.
Leaders are often privy to information that their subordinates do not know, so leaders must determine what to share, what not to share, and how best to direct others who do not have access to the “big picture.”
Leadership should be a joy, not a burden. The best leaders lead willingly and give “freely and wholeheartedly for the common good.”
Effective leaders never use the words “I” and “me” when discussing a mission which requires to be accomplished by more than one person. These leaders understand that they are part of a team and that every member of the team is critical to mission accomplishment.
One very important principle of being an effective leader is to be concerned about taking care of your people instead of being concerned about taking care of yourself. Effective leaders are fair, just, and keep their word.
Effective leaders never think of themselves as the only “answer man” when critical issues must be addressed. They recognize that everyone on the team is a valuable contributor to mission goals and objectives.
Effective leaders communicate clearly what mission goals and objectives are. Leaders know where the organization is headed and they have a plan for getting there.
Effective leaders are objective and are guided by wise counsel, decisions, and reasoning. There is a biblical proverb I always remember when faced with making critical decisions: “There is safety in the multitude of counselors.” Hence, a good leader always seeks advice and counsel when faced with difficult challenges. Many years ago, an Admiral once said to me, “Remember, the decisions you make today will lead to the consequences you will wake up to tomorrow.”
“If we were going to pick a characteristic that is most critical for the Navy in leadership, it is accountability. You need to think through, as an officer, what you believe in, and you need to make sure, particularly with what you do, that your standards are both impeccable and irrefutable and never blurred.” (Naval Justice School, Newport, R.I., 14 June 2006)