The Concept of Leadership Leadership…that is a word that I didn’t fully understand early in my Marine Corps career. Maybe it was the lack of significant leaders coming thru the ranks. Most of the units or squadrons I was attached were so big that being in charge of a group of Marines was never really a possibility. It wasn’t until I pinned on my first rocker and given my first shop that I was entrusted with eight young devil dogs.
Since then I have learned many things about leadership that have enhanced me both as a person as well as a leader of Marines. The word leadership means different things to various people. I’ve heard various definitions to include the one out of the dictionary which defines it as “the ability to guide, direct or influence people“ . Others would describe leadership as the ability to manipulate individuals to do what you want them to do. I think of leadership as the ability to understand what motivates and inspires an individual or group into driving them to a common goal.

Since I’ve been in the Corps, I have met leaders at all different levels of the leadership “tree”. Some were so horrible that I left that command wondering how could they have had charge of Marines. At other commands I met some very interesting Marines that carried a certain charisma in their way of leading, which made them naturally liked and easy to follow. These Marines I did my best to emulate. I discovered that these Marines never had a “template” when it came to leadership. They always molded their leadership style to who they wanted to impose an effect on. Some Marines you motivate by explaining the reason behind what you are asking them to do, to a certain reasonable extend. This gives them a better understanding of the reason why the task given must be accomplished. This is my preferred method when being tasked. Others you are unable to