[June 7, 2023] When I was a young Infantry captain and company commander, I published my command philosophy (i.e., my leadership philosophy) – good thing because it forced me to think about how I would act and how I thought soldiers would perceive me.
I had spent time reading books on famous leaders from history, especially World War II (e.g., GEN George S. Patton, GEN George C. Marshall), and trying to figure out what made them successful as combat leaders.
At the time, I believed that the “discipline” of the soldier, instilling this trait in the men of my unit, was the essential key to success. And, yes, this was important. However, I later realized that the actions of the combat leader and subordinate leaders (first-line leaders) ultimately made a real difference.
Discipline was merely the vehicle that made it easier for the leader to accomplish the tasks/missions assigned. Discipline was the means, not the end.
My leadership philosophy included my unit’s actionable philosophy and army values that would help guide and focus the work of my Infantrymen. Communicating in writing helped keep my men and me on track and headed toward achieving our goals, missions, and tasks.
The written command (leadership) philosophy lets people know what to expect, what I value as their commander, how they should act, and what they should believe. This certainly made the workday less stressful, predictable, and more productive. And it helped keep me on course as well.
What did this formalized command philosophy help us do?
- The written priorities helped better direct the use of resources.
- Made it easier to establish soldier trust and confidence.
- Establish principles of behavior for action.
- Reducing the unknown made me more predictable and less stressful for unit members.
- It allowed an easier-to-understand set of behaviors.
- Made it easier to make mission/task changes.
- Enabled better communications.
- Established a baseline of standards and core values.
My goal was to be the driver of the unit, and therefore its successes or failures would be my responsibility.
I find reading those things I wrote over 30 years ago entertaining today. But I haven’t changed my beliefs; I have a more firm grasp on those essential leadership issues.
As a leader, it is just as important to formalize your leadership philosophy –even if not published for all to see, writing it down forces us to look at what we are as leaders.
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Please read my books:
Gen. Satterfield, thank you helping lay out a way to have a realistic leader philosophy.
EXCELLENT……
As a long-time reader of this blog, I can say that this is exactly what I see in everything written here. If you want to understand more about leadership and how to be a better person, this website is for you. Also, I highly recommend that you read “55 Rules for a Good Life.” The link is below the article.
Best leadership blog.
Great article on a leader philosophy. I think the fact you decided to write down your philosophy is a great way to get your head around what you are really trying to say to those who work for you. Put it in writing. That way you can get some great feedback too. ✔
Hey, did everyone one else hear about Target losing billions of dollars in market value? They deserve every bit of the hit they are taking. Now, their CEO is saying that this is terrorism against their woke company because you and I don’t want to buy anything from a Satan worshiper.
Yeah American Girl, the boycott is ON.
What the Target and Bud Light Boycotts Tell Us
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-the-target-and-bud-light-boycotts-tell-us-7b291eb0
The “vibe” of a consumer good can be as important as the good itself. I drink Coke partly because Santa Claus does, and I wear Vans partly because I want to look like a Los Angeles skateboarder. While Coke and Vans have good vibes, Bud Light and Target killed theirs by associating their brands with the excesses of the LGBT movement. It’s creepy that Target is trying to mainstream breast binders, so I don’t shop there anymore. I’m not making a rationally calculated effort to change Target’s behavior. I’m making an irrational effort to avoid bad vibes.
“Target loses $9B in week following boycott calls over LGBTQ-friendly kids clothing” according to the NY Post.
Target has lost $9 billion in market value since angry social media users called for a boycott of the Minneapolis-based retailer over its rollout of the “PRIDE” collection featuring LGBTQ-friendly clothing for children.
FACT: Target is after your children. Stand up to this evil and stand up now.
Boycott all woke companies. They are all after your kids.
Loving this website each and every day.
great article .. let’s go kick some liberal butts today
Making me smile one day at a time, old warrior.
You nailed it old warrior. Thanks! We don’t need to put up with the stupidity of the new generation. Their moral depravity is overwhelming.
One smile at a time.
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜
Gen. Doug Satterfield is a wonderful human being and worthy of reading all that he writes. These daily articles make me smile each time I read one. The grammar is sometimes off, but I think that is the fact he writes daily. That’s a lot of writing. Keep it up, Gen. S. We are your greatest fans.
Georgie, I think you, me, and Yusaf from Texas are Gen. Satterfield’s longest running fans. 😁
Thinking this is a great way to start as a junior leader.
Good ideas never die. ❤❤❤❤❤
… and get a copy of Gen. Satterfield’s books. They never grow old or out of date either.