4 IMPORTANT LESSONS FOR LEADERS (PUT THEM TO USE NOW!)

1. Be Authentic

Every leader has his own style. But younger, still inexperienced leaders sometimes try to compensate for their own uncertainty with excessive harshness in the way they lead.

Constant shouting and talking down to people can definitely produce a certain training effect with recruits. Experienced soldiers, though, see through the facade very quickly. In fact, they read that game extremely well.

Discipline and a hard tone are essential. If you are a genuinely hard, disciplined guy, then lead that way. No problem. But do it because that is who you are. Be authentic. Don’t put on a mask with a completely different character behind it.

2. Soak Up Knowledge

There is nothing more valuable than the accumulated experience of long-serving comrades around you. No regulation, however well written, can replace their “rucksack knowledge.”

With simple problems you should always look for a solution yourself first. Beyond that, most comrades respond very openly to well-considered questions at any time. If they see that you have really thought about it, they will not turn your curiosity away.

And even when comrades are just telling stories from deployments and exercises, there is always something between the lines that is worth its weight in gold out in the field.
You just have to keep an ear open for it.

3. Make Mistakes

Everyone should prepare for the job well enough that mistakes don’t happen.

But the fear of making any mistakes at all can also paralyze you and keep you from taking on a new task and getting better.

So: don’t be afraid of mistakes. If there is a situation that makes you uncomfortable and scares you, do it anyway. Do it for exactly that reason. Take that step out of your comfort zone deliberately and knowingly, and grow with the challenge.

You will make mistakes. But now you know exactly how you will be better next time. And nobody can take that away from you.

4. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Everyone knows that one guy who is permanently in a bad mood and scowling at everyone. The problem is that small mistakes and mishaps happen to the super cool, mean guy too.

I had a captain who dropped his whole stack of papers in the middle of issuing orders. Of course we all had to grin.

The captain did not start yelling “Stop laughing this instant!” No. He grinned at us and said “Well, you never quite take off the officer candidate braid.” And everyone laughed.

After that we had even more respect for him, because he saw the funny side and acted authentically in the moment. He did not have to play the hard leader. He already had the confidence and knew that he was a good one.

Summary

In short, it comes down to leading with confidence while keeping a small ego. “Be more than you appear to be” is what the Prussians called it. And even when you are the one in charge, comradeship, humanity and humor matter.

Good luck out there!

Shughart

Author’s note: if you like our articles, you can support us with a purchase in our shop (click here). We’re grateful for every bit of support!