[April 19, 2018] Last week, a Boy Scout in the Troop in which I volunteer, asked me how he could get younger scouts to attend more meetings. After discussing the issue with him for a few minutes, I brought up the subject of what military leaders do and don’t do to motivate soldiers.
“Dream more than others think practical. Expect more than others think possible. Care more than others think wise.” – Howard Schultz, Starbucks executive chairman
Ultimately, the discussion made for an interesting talk about how military leaders can de-motivate their soldiers and what those behaviors were. What I did was to talk about those things good military leaders don’t do.
Here are a dozen things military leaders don’t do:
- Blame their soldiers for their failures, whine, or give excuses.
- Gossip or play mind games.
- Make commitments they don’t plan to keep.
- Act pompous and superior to others.
- Forget about acting with respect or forgetting the small things about their soldiers.
- Let fear get in the way of doing the right thing.
- Worry about what their commander thinks of them.
- Value their career or their position over the concerns of others.
- Deceive others purposefully.
- Fail to eat right, exercise, get proper sleep and encourage others to do the same.
- Bark orders and boss people around.
- Second-guess their team members.
Of course, they also don’t drink alcohol to access or touch illegal drugs but that is for another post.
Military leaders who don’t do these things all have one thing in common; they learned to be a follower before they became a leader. Only those who have seen what it’s like on the receiving end of a leader-driven mission can one truly understand what it means to be a good leader.
I’m monitoring the attendance at our meetings to see if this new Boy Scout leader can encourage the younger scouts to attend more often by, at least, not doing those things military leaders also don’t do.
Valuable article. Much appreciated.
Thanks Albert, I agree.
Good information for the junior leader AND more senior leaders. Let’s not forget that leadership basic don’t change as long as humans are humans. I suspect that the list here today is would be no different if we asked a leader 1,000 years ago.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is more to this post than you see on the surface.
Do you mean his comment that you need to be a follower before you can be a leader?
I think he means leadership is about “motivation” and these are 12 things that “de-motivate” people.
Right! This is not just about military leaders but about ALL people.
I wish someone had given me this list when I was younger. Maybe that and a good mentor would have helped me make adulthood a smoother transition.
I recommend everyone read today’s “Daily Favorites”. It’s about the city of San Francisco and how leaders have failed that city because of their ideology. It ties in closely with past posts from this leadership blog.
A look forward to each day with a short read from theLeaderMaker blog. Thanks for making it worthwhile to go with my morning coffee.
Good advice for all leaders.
Thank you Gen Satterfield for another good article on leadership, in this case one I can use with young people. I suggest that the next time you address this issue that you add one for senior leaders. 🙂
Thanks Kenny, I will.
Your No. 1 on the list is the most blatant one that leaders should never do. If you want a popular example, then just look at Hillary Clinton who has violated this “rule” so many times that people are starting to think she’s mentally ill. She is also a very bad example of women in leadership positions. Who would want to vote for a woman running for president in the future if, as people will think, this is the best we can do?
You’re right Georgie. Women took a big hit on their political credibility with Hillary. Sad, how very sad!
Thank you for this simple, to-the-point list of things leaders should never do and shouldn’t even think about doing. THey also should guide others not to do them either. I will share this list (and add a few of my own) to the kids I coach in High School. Of course, the drug issue too. But if you want to be an effective leader, don’t do these 12 things.
My dad gave me a list of 10 things to never do if I wanted to be a “good man” when I grew up. This list takes me back to the time I was 9 years old and my dad being the hero-figure in our house.
Another excellent post on leadership, Gen. Satterfield. There are simply things leaders DON’T DO because it’s STUPID.
Yes, and they don’t drink or take (illegal) drugs. This one is becoming more and more problematic for the general population and some of its younger leaders. I see a future crackdown on illegal drug use like we saw in President Ronald Reagan’s time. The idea that “freedom” means you can shoot up on the streets (like in San Francisco) is absurd.
Good point. Thanks.
Yes, Well said. Drugs are destructive for all, especially the weak-minded and leaders.
Very helpful short list of good advice. Where was this blog when I was young? Oh yeah! Mentors were there to provide this info but I wouldn’t listen.
Good, basic article today and worthy for junior leaders to read and have handy for their future.