Summary of Marine Leadership Traits

Over the past few weeks, we have taken a look at the 14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits.    The important thing to remember when reflecting on the Marine Corps Leadership Traits is that they are just that - traits, not actions.

A trait is not something you do - it is something you are.  The dictionary definition of "trait" is a distinguishing characteristic or quality, especially of one's personal nature.

This means that to be a Great Leader, you need to adopt this 14 traits as your own personal characteristics.  You also need to adopt all of them.  These 14 traits are all interconnected - you need all of them to be a Great Leader - some may be more important than others (integrity for instance - you cannot lead anyone if you are not honest and trustworthy), but failing to adopt any of these traits will compromise you ability to lead.

Once again here are the 14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits with a link to the page where I explored the trait in detail.

JUSTICE – The ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.

JUDGMENT - The ability to weigh facts and possible courses of action in order to make sound

decisions.

DECISIVENESS - Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forceful manner.

INITIATIVE - Taking action in the absence of orders.

DEPENDABILITY - The certainty of proper performance of duty.

TACT - The ability to deal with others without creating hostility.

INTEGRITY - Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles. The quality of truthfulness and honesty.

ENTHUSIASM - The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.

BEARING - Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times.

UNSELFISHNESS - Avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.

COURAGE - A mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a Marine to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.

KNOWLEDGE - Understanding of a science or an art. The range of one's information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your Marines.

LOYALTY - The quality of faithfulness to country, the Corps, and unit, and to one's seniors, subordinates, and peers.

ENDURANCE -The mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship.

Once you adopt these characteristics and live the 14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits, you will be able to lead like a Marine.

Are you up for that challenge?

Leadership Trait of the Day: INITIATIVE

Yesterday we discussed decisiveness – today we will look at the closely related Leadership trait of Initiative.  When the Marine Corps developed its acronym JJDIDTIEBUCKLE for its 14 Leadership traits, there is a reason it put initiative next to decisiveness – they are two sides of the same coin.

At their simplest, Decisiveness is your ability to make a decision – Initiative impacts your ability to act on that decision.  You can make the best decision in the world, but it is meaningless until you put it into action. 

In this sense Initiative is CARPE DIEM – Seize the Day!  Make a decision and move on it.  As the great Will Rogers said “Even if you’re on the right track you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” 

However, making a decision and acting on it is only one part of Initiative.  Yes, it is an important part, and yes, a good leader has to have the initiative to act on his decisions.  But a great leader will show Initiative in other ways as well. 

The Marine Corps defines Initiative as "taking action in the absence of orders."  In other words when you see something that needs to be done - do it ... don't wait for directions.  This is above and beyond merely making a decision.  This is the heart of being proactive; of seeing and solving problems before they are Problems.


As a Leader, you have to exercise this type of Initiative.  You cannot wait for things to happen - if you do, you are constantly reacting and are never directing.  Leaders are proactive, not reactive.  You cannot successfully direct your people if you are constantly reacting.  So, to be a successful Leader, you have to anticipate what is coming and plan accordingly.  Often, if you act first, you can shape and control events - instead of letting events control you.  This allows you to direct your people and to have a plan.  Your subordinates will be more effective when you are proactive - they will also be happier.   

Click through for a further discussion on how a Leader can develop initiative.