[July 26, 2025] We read those stories of our heroes’ brave deeds, those who put their lives on the line for others in displays of unbelievable courage. We need good citizens like that, and for reasons of necessity, we do indeed love our heroes. But there are also many more stories of ordinary folks who, along with their teammates, accomplish unimaginable feats.
Know your troops, their stories, their quirks and their minds, their needs and wants, their fears and their courage. Know those who work for you. Know your peers and those who you surround yourself with.
Together you can achieve more than even your imagination can see. Surrounding yourself with good people is no easy task, but if you do, you will see what you’ve never seen before; an incredibly good life.
I began my time in the U.S. Army as a Private, the lowest rank; I was a simple foot Soldier. Over the years, I learned much from America’s best Sergeants in charge of us.
There was something important to take from that experience. In early assignments as an army Private, we would experience some tough lessons in the Army. We all wanted to know more and be more like those Sergeants. We learned that to do what’s right with our team meant you had to have the right people and leaders to make it happen.
Years later, when promoted to the rank of “buck” Sergeant, experiences as a Private led me to swear that I would never give up on them and never let them down. It was easy to empathize with what they had to endure. If you’ve been one of them, gotten dirty, scared, exhausted, survived the fight, and took on all comers, they respected that fact. It is necessary to pay your dues.
Relevant experience works but the road to get there was no picnic. Physical and mental scars proved we were willing to lock shields with our Battle Buddies and never give up on them. To this day, we remain tied together through the strongest of bonds; we are Brothers.
Many troops today, especially those in the most senior positions, have forgotten the foot Soldier. Leaders are caught up in the affairs of their job, the daily emails, the meetings, the workshops, getting that corner office, going out to lunch with their boss, and even rubbing elbows with politicians.
With each passing day, their distance from the troops grows. And it grows to such an extent they no longer wish to be associated with the ordinary troop. It happens too many times. And it’s happening today in our political senior military leaders as they adopt simple ideologies over military preparedness.
Many now say that our military readiness is declining due to this corruption; all the while, our leaders grow arrogant and selfish. This philosophy demands we get to know our troops. It works!
Know your troops, for this is the only way to become part of the bond of brotherhood. And this is the only way to be truly successful.
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Please read my books:
This is the core of this article, “Know your troops, for this is the only way to become part of the bond of brotherhood.” by Gen. Doug Satterfield. Learn it well. Practice it always. Never ignore this leadership rule.
Another Gen. Doug Satterfield classic. And a regular theme here.
It may seem alot like commonsense which it is, but it deserves saying that you must know those people around you if you plan on getting along with them. Gen. Satterfield spells this out here and throughout his website as a one of the major themes. That’s why I read his site often and do make it clear he has certainly hit the bullseye 🎯 with his article today.
Thank you sir.
This is exactly what I hoped this website would be about. “Know your troops” goes far beyond it being for the army or any military service. it’s all about how to be a better leader. Suck it up if you can’t make it. Leadership is hard but easier if you follow a few simple rules. True enough, that you can get this from gen. Satterfield’s book but also common sense for those of us who have worked in the areas where leadership is required. Yeah, get the book but also practice practice practice leadership.
“Leadership Requires Practice
https://www.theleadermaker.com/leadership-requires-practice/
Leadership requires practice because to get better, there is no substitute for a deliberate effort designed to improve action. As long as a leader has interest to improve their performance and takes purposeful steps to do so, that is what we call practice. True, this is done with on-the-job experience but leaders who desire to improve will reflect on ways to do better.
EXCELLENT CLASSIC
“Know your people.” That is the generic way to say it. For those who work for you, your teachers/professors, family & friends, and any others you may be close to … if you’re interested in having the greatest impact upon them – a good impact – then know them. Know their names, their desires and needs, their families and as much as you can to show them that you know them more than just a number. Be human. That’s how. I suspect the ne t article will be to “know your enemies.” Yep, I can see it coming.
🫡🫡 thx sir 🫡🫡
Another classic Gen. Satterfield article on how to be a better leader, and not just in the military but in all walks of life. Gen. S. is only using the military as a substitute for all occupations. Thanks all. For the full story, and where this came from, be sure to read “55 Rules for a Good Life” at:
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
Yes, well said. And this idea is an ancient piece of military wisdom. Sun Tzu said, “Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.” So, this is not new but very very very old. I appreciate Gen. Satterfield using modern language and examples to reiterate the greatness of this advice. 👏
Indeed, Sun Tzu. I recommend any book with Sun Tzu’s words that show how to survive and win wars.
Yes, a regular theme and powerful one at that.
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🤓