this was beat into my head when I did NROTC...JJDIDTIEBUCKLE
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmc/leadership_traits.htm
if you're into the reading books thing, i was recommended this book but never read it...it's supposed to be really good about leadership
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Your-Ship...9117/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315240270&sr=8-1
The down and dirty on leadership that I think is important from my experience:
- Need to bring the best out of your subordinates. Your goal should be training and leading them so they get promoted and advanced. If you advance somehow but your subordinates don't, then you failed them as a leader.
- Decisiveness. You're the leader, right? Well make the goddamn decision then. I hate it when people are being paid to make a decision and they don't. They ask the guy above them to make it. Decisions should be made at the lowest level possible, if not, then why have leaders at the lower levels?
- Don't micromanage. Nothing will drive people more insane. Management is a
part of leadership. Don't overdo it.
Let people do their jobs.
- Input goes up and down. You should be open to input from people below you and you should also be providing input to people above you. While the decisions above you are not yours to make, you should still contribute. And if you never take input from others below you, you won't last long as an effective leader.
- Lastly, know your people. Know who's married, who has kids, who's having problems, etc. It's hard to have a cohesive unit/team if somebody can't perform at their best because they just found out their kid is sick or is in the hospital, etc. And do whatever you can to help them, because it will surely help you more in the long run.