The Marine Corps Leadership Principles

Given the several week lapse since I first kicked off my Marine Corps Leadership Principles series, I am going to go ahead, re-boot it, and start from the beginning again.  My apologies for those of you who have read these already - I will revise them some - just for you!

Before delving into the Leadership Principles, I explored the 14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits.  The Leadership Traits are characteristics that leaders – and want-to-be leaders - need to incorporate into their actions.  The best way to view the Leadership Traits is that they are internal – these are things that you are.  These are characteristics that you really need to begin to develop before you become a leader.

            The other set of basic fundamentals that the Marine Corps uses to hone its leaders are the Marine Corps Leadership principles.  Unlike the Leadership Traits, the Leadership Principles are things that you do – actions you need to take. 

            The Marine Leadership Principles are proven guidelines that Marines have developed over the past 200 years.  Marines are asked to lead is very stressful and difficult environments, and the Leadership Principles substantially increase a Marine’s ability to lead effectively.  By understanding, mastering, and applying these Principles, you will learn to lead more effectively, accomplish your mission, and earn the respect of your subordinates, peers and seniors.  .

When you look in the mirror,
make sure it is an accurate reflection

            If you speak to any successful leader, they will all tell you that they continuously and objectively refine their leadership abilities.  The best way to assess and refine your capabilities is to compare them to an established set of guidelines – this is where the Marine Corps Leadership Principles come into play.  Marines refine their leadership skills by comparing their skills against the Leadership Principles.   

            

As a leader or aspiring leader, you should develop a set of leadership guidelines to follow.  Then, periodically, you should sit down and grade yourself against these benchmarks so you can see how you are doing.  Of course your assessment will only be as good as your benchmarks, so make sure you adopt the right set of guidelines. 

            Click through for a list of the Marine Corps Leadership Principles. 

Here are the 11 Marine Corps Leadership Principles that Marines use as a guideline to refine and adjust their leadership skills. 

·         Principle One: Know Yourself and Seek Self-Improvement

·         Principle Two: Be Technically and Tactically Proficient

·         Principle Three: Know Your Marines and Look Out for Their Welfare

·         Principle Four: Keep Your Marines Informed

·         Principle Five: Set the Example

·         Principle Six: Make Sure the Task Is Understood, Supervised, and Accomplished

·         Principle Seven: Train Your Marines as a Team

·         Principle Eight: Make Sound and Timely Decisions

·         Principle Nine: Develop a Sense of Responsibility Among Your Subordinates

·         Principle Ten: Employ Your Command in Accordance with Its Capabilities

·         Principle Eleven: Seek Responsibility and Take Responsibility for Your Actions

Over the next few weeks, we will examine each of these Principles so you can develop a better understanding of how to incorporate these guidelines into you leadership skills.