17 Things a Leader Should Never Say

Great list, it illustrates the difference between a boss and a leader. Unfortunately that could be a bottomless list but it's a good start. I've had some of the worse bosses and some of the best leaders. Luckily I had a good leader in my first assignment, otherwise I may not have gone beyond my first enlistment. At my second assignment my "boss" wasn't very squared away. I remember him briefing me on my less than stellar annual rating. He said "...I got a 4, how can anyone that works for me be anything more?". I responded with something to the effect of "how can you expect me to give you 100% in the future if I'm capped by your limits". I had to sit down with his rater to discuss this. It was corrected. That experience did however have a positive effect on me as a leader. As I moved into a supervisory role I never forgot the lesson of the importance of fair and honest rating of subordinates and to put more effort into clear guidance in the year leading to the rating than the write-up itself.

Truth be known I've said a few of those things, But within context I didn't mean them as the article suggested. One thing I was taught by an old SF Sergeant, Never say "Because the Lt said so." And i passed that on to my Jr NCO's, Get things done on your own authority, don't use your squad leaders or mine or the Lt's...You have the mission and the authority make it happen.

Super article. I remember some of these from OCS in 1966-1967, we had and real leader for our TAC Officer. Thank you for posting LTC Bink Romanick

LTC Bink Romanick Fantastic article! Removing the ego is difficult for some folks, it should not be. The leadership role is just another role in the team and we are all peers.

Great article LTC Bink Romanick. I have to admit I have heard most of them or at least hybrid versions. Everyone of them screams authoritarian leader, no room for the team concept.

Great list. Thanks for sharing.

I have learned many of these lessons throughout my career. I also found that practicing the list
of Leadership traits help me succeed.
The 11 Principles of Leadership*
1. Know Yourself and Seek Self Improvement - You are never done growing as a leader.
2. Be Technically and Tactically Proficient - Know your business.
3. Seek Responsibility and Take Responsibility for Your Actions - Be accountable.
4. Make Sound and Timely Decisions - Be wise but be decisive.
5. Set the Example - More is caught than taught.
6. Know Your People and Look Out for Their Well Being – They don't care how much you know, until
they know how much you care.
7. Keep Your People Informed - No team ever failed because of too much communication.
8. Develop A Sense of Responsibility in Your Subordinates - You are responsible for developing your
people.
9. Insure the Task Is Understood, Supervised and Accomplished - Set clear expectations and goals, then coach and hold people accountable.
10. Train Your People as A Team - Culture is the Leader’s job.
11. Employ Your Team in Accordance with its Strengths and Capabilities - Put your people in a position to succeed.