Learning About Leadership

What Is Leadership?

Leadership is a process of getting things done through people. The quarterback moves the team toward a touchdown. The platoon sergeant guides the troops to a high score in mil-stakes. The mayor gets the people to support new policies to make the city better.

These leaders are getting things done by working through people -- football players, soldiers, and ordinary citizens. They have used the process of leadership to reach certain goals.

Leadership is not a science. So being a leader is an adventure because you can never be sure whether you will reach your goal -- at least this time. The touchdown drive may end in a fumble. The platoon may have a bad run of luck during the mil-stakes. Or the city's citizens may not be convinced that the mayor's policies are right. So these leaders have to try again, using other methods. But they still use the same process the process of good leadership.

Leadership means responsibility. It's adventure and often fun, but it always means responsibility. The leader is the guy the others look to to get the job done. So don't think your job as a petty officer or a staff member will be just an honor. It's more than that. It means that the other Cadets and/or Staff expect you to take the responsibility of getting the job done. If you lead, they will follow. If you don't, they may expect you to do that road alone.

That's why it's important that you begin right now to learn what leadership is all about.

Wear your rank proudly but know that It does not automatically make you a good leader. But it identifies you as a leader who others will want to follow -- if you'll let them by showing leadership.

You are not a finished leader. No one ever is, not even a president or prime minister. But you are an explorer of the human mind because now you are going to try to learn how to get things done through people. This is one of the keys to leadership.

You are searching for the secrets of leadership. Many of them lie locked inside you. As you discover them and practice them, you will join a special group of people-skilled leaders.

Good exploring -- both in this web site and with the groups you will have a chance to lead.