Back to Basics: The 14 Leadership Principles I Learned as a Young Soldier

The 1990 version of the Army Field Manual FM22-100.

I wanted to write this blog back in 2016, during the US presidential campaign that year, because these traits had been a topic that I focused on when teaching Freshmen ROTC students back in 1991, and I felt that they were critical to highlight. But life got ahead of me and was not able to complete that.

I do need to provide a bit more context about how I learned these traits: Back in April 1981, when I was a newly arrived PV2 (Private) in the 82nd Airborne Division, my platoon sergeant recommended for me to compete for the 82nd Airborne Trooper of the Month. As anyone who served with the paratroopers knows you don't say no, you just say "Airborne" and drive on with the mission. So, in addition to the other requirements of being a newbie in an Airborne Infantry Rifle Platoon I had to spend my evenings, when we weren't out training, studying for the competition. So rather than hanging out at the Flaming Mug or the Cross Creek Mall (if you know you know) I was stuck in the barracks.

But it was ultimately rewarding. Many of the topics I studied were relevant while some were more nostalgic, such as "what's in the top of a flagpole finial" (which I've learned since then is a myth: razor blade, match, and a bullet). I also learned the fourteen traits of a leader, which at the time I didn't realize their importance, but to this day I can recite them perfectly:

• Bearing

• Courage

• Decisiveness

• Dependability

• Endurance

• Enthusiasm

• Initiative

• Integrity

• Judgment

• Justice

• Knowledge

• Loyalty

• Tact 

• Unselfishness

Throughout the years since learning these I've applied them to many situations, from teaching Army cadets to hiring employees to voting for politicians. I run through these fourteen traits in my head - or sometimes even put them to paper if it's really important - like a checklist, giving a personal qualitative ranking of 1-10 on each. While the traits have many subtleties, nuances, and ultimately have to be taken in context for the current situation, as well as the interaction with one another, it does provide a first order assessment of a persons character, leadership ability, and ultimate inclusion into a circle of friends that one can trust.

What's so interesting about these 14 traits, and what was not covered in FM 22-100 back then, is that some of them can be diametrically opposed to one another; in other words they can conflict with one another at a very basic level. The one that is most compelling, especially in our current times, is the integrity vs. loyalty paradox, which I will talk about in a future post since it is such a critical issue, especially in today's time. Another interesting combination is decisiveness, initiative, and judgment.  For example, if a leader is both decisive and has initiative but without good judgment, this is ultimately a disaster. This leader will get you to a bad place faster, and with more conviction, than any other.

Some of these traits came to me naturally, others I had to work on, and still do to this day. But this simple framework has held for me for over 40 years, guiding me and my decisions in times when I needed it. It's not complete, no simple list ever is, but for me and many others in the military these are the traits of a leader. I write this blog post because I know it will provide a foundation for future posts, since it is simple, straightforward, and can be memorized.

Postscript: While I did win the Soldier of the Month for my Battalion, the 2nd/508th, back in 1981, I broke my leg on a parachute jump a few weeks later and was unable to compete for the Division Trooper of the Month. While this was disappointing for me I was able to assist one of the new arrivals, who is still a close friend to this day, prepare for the same competition. He was selected as the 82nd Airborne Division Soldier of the Month a few months later, and was 'promoted' to being the driver for our Battalion Command Sergeant Major, riding in a jeep while the rest of us walked. I guess it pays to study, another great life lesson.