Lessons From 20 Years of Service in the Marine Corps

That's Right - Listen to this Old Man!

About two weeks ago I hit a milestone – I crossed the magic 20 year mark in my Marine Corps career.  For everyone who has ever put on a uniform, the 20 year target is a big one – it means that you can now retire with your pension.   

For me, though, the 20 year mark has been a testament to dedication and endurance; while thoroughly enjoyable, it has not been an easy 20 year run. 

What it has been, however, is 20 great years of leadership lessons.  When I look back to the bright-eyed young 2^nd Lieutenant I was 20 years ago, I can really appreciate all of the lessons I have learned from 20 years in uniform. 

In honor of my 20 years of service, here are 20 Rules of Leadership that I have learned during my Marine Corps career:

      1)      Leaders lead from the front – this doesn’t mean you drag your people behind you, it means that you take on the same risk – or more – that you ask your people to take.

      2)      Leaders set the example – You are always watched, and you need to do the right thing, all the time; don’t ask your people to do things you cannot or will not do – you are the barometer. 

      3)      Leaders have a plan – Even if it is a basic plan, and even if it needs to be changed, you have to have a plan, otherwise you are running in circles.

      4)      But, Leaders are flexible – Never, ever, ever fall in love with your plan, you need to be able to change when you need to

      5)      Leaders are decisive – A leader has to make decisions, especially when it is hard, a failure to make a decision, at a minimum wastes time and resources.

      6)      Leaders trust their instincts (but look before they leap) – It is easier to be decisive when you trust your gut; great leaders have good instincts and learn to trust them – however, no matter how much a leader trusts his gut, he still needs to reflect a moment before making a final decision

      7)      Leaders know their people – You cannot lead strangers, if you don’t know your people, you cannot play to their strengths, and you cannot improve their weaknesses.

      8)      Leaders always tell the truth – Even when it hurts, once your integrity is compromised, you cannot get it back.

      9)      Leaders take care of their people – This doesn’t mean you baby them – there is a tragic story of a platoon of Marines being killed in their sleeping bags during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign – the platoon commander wanted them to get warm, but truly taking care of them met pushing them to do the right thing – being ready to fight. 

     10)   Leaders are loyal – Not just to their superiors, but to their people, leaders support their people, their seniors and their institution. 

   

      Click Through for the next 10 Rules

    

Leadership Trait of the Day: BEARING

         

Bearing has nothing to do with bears, but if you
can stay calm in front of this guy, you have bearing. 

      The first question many of you may have is: what the heck is Bearing, and how is it relevant to Leadership?  While in the Marine Corps, we simple call this Bearing, but the best way for non-Marines to think of this is as “Military Bearing.”  You may also think of this as comportment.

            In the Marines, Bearing is your ability to “create a favorable impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times.”  Meaning, you look, talk, and act like a leader at all times – even when you don’t feel like it.             

            Let’s unpack this further.  If you want to have the Bearing of a Leader, there are three areas you need to focus on: 1) physical appearance; 2) day-to-day behavior; and 3) behavior under stress. 

Funny - but not a leader

Physical Appearance: Now, the Marine Corps is a physical job – so physical appearance means you need to look like a Marine.  Now, for civilian purposes, there is no need to look like this guy. But, you don’t want to look like Matt Foley, motivational speaker – if you do, you may be end up living in a van down by the river. 

            Bearing for the civilian leader means look like a professional.  Dress and carry yourself like someone who can be trusted with responsibility.  The first thing people will see is how you look.  In the Marine Corps, we are fanatical about our uniform appearance – not just because we want to look better than the Army, Navy and Air Force (ok, that’s a big part of it).  Marines understand that part of being professional is looking professional.  This also shows that you have the discipline to take care of the small things, which leads people to trust that you can take care of the big things.

            So, if you want to be a Leader, look like one.  This does not mean wear a suit or a tie every day, but you should dress a little bit better than the people you work with – just enough to show that you are professional.  It also helps to have a neat and orderly appearance.  Look in the mirror before leaving your house and decide if you look like the sort of person someone would trust with responsibility. 

            Click through for more discussion on Bearing.

Leadership Trait of the Day: ENTHUSIASM

Give me an “L”, give me and “E”, give me an “A” …. okay, you get the point.  However, being an Enthusiastic Leader does not mean you are a cheerleader. 

The Marine Corps defines Enthusiasm as the display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of your duty. Meaning – you are happy and motivated; you are optimistic, cheerful, and willing to accept challenges. 

Obviously, in the Marine Corps when we are dealing harsh physical training or grueling field conditions, the ability to be a little “Ooh Rah” is important.  Nothing can ease the burden during a 25 mile forced march like someone cracking jokes and getting laughs. 

But Enthusiasm is much more than that.  It is embracing your life and your job with zeal.  Dale Carnegie said that “enthusiasm is the little recognized secret to success.”  It is impossible to be successful if you do not love what you are doing.  If you are not dedicated to your job and excited about what you do, you will “mail it in.”  No one succeeds that way. 

What about as a Leader?  It is doubly important for you.  We all have experienced it – Enthusiasm and positive thinking are contagious.  Try to be depressed next to an upbeat and happy person – it is impossible.  As a Leader, your Enthusiasm is flows down to your people. 

John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach said “Your energy and enjoyments, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.” 

Let’s look at this angle a little differently.  It is fine to motivate and inspire others.  But as a Leader, you need to get others to believe in you and to believe in your ideas.  Why on Earth would someone buy into your ideas if you have the Enthusiasm of Eeyore?  They won’t.  If you are not passionate about your ideas and decisions, guess what?  No one else will be. 

Enthusiasm is not only a joy in your life and what you are doing, but it requires that you belief in yourself and your choices.  You cannot be enthusiastic if you are not confident in yourself and your decisions. 

Click through for a discussion of faking Enthusiasm.