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The military is a professional organization instilled on disciple and structure. As such, an authoritative leadership style thrives. While there is nothing wrong with this leadership style, in my opinion, most leaders with this style lack a critical leadership trait. Empathy.
When leaders empathize with their troops they are forming a social bond based on trust and respect. It shows that you feel and understand the hardships they are enduring, and although you may not have the means to relieve those hardships you can provide the camaraderie and support to endure. Empathic leaders are observant of those under their care, and are skilled at active listening.
Empathy is even listed under the Leadership Requirements Model – Character in ADP 6-22. Yet, the Army rarely discusses this leadership trait that is essential to building many of the requirements in the Army Leadership Requirements Model.
I read a lot of books, and these books always portray the protagonist as an empathic leader who stands against the odds at all costs for what is right. A leader you want to follow and whose example encourages you to be a better person; while the antagonist is cold and unyielding, and uses fear and intimidation to influence his followers. So why do so many military leaders adapt this antagonist leadership style? Are our leaders lacking empathy? And what can we do about it?
LTC Harry C. Garner, U.S. Army, Retired wrote a great article on the topic of empathy, I encourage you to read it: http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/repository/dcl_GarnerArticle.pdf
When leaders empathize with their troops they are forming a social bond based on trust and respect. It shows that you feel and understand the hardships they are enduring, and although you may not have the means to relieve those hardships you can provide the camaraderie and support to endure. Empathic leaders are observant of those under their care, and are skilled at active listening.
Empathy is even listed under the Leadership Requirements Model – Character in ADP 6-22. Yet, the Army rarely discusses this leadership trait that is essential to building many of the requirements in the Army Leadership Requirements Model.
I read a lot of books, and these books always portray the protagonist as an empathic leader who stands against the odds at all costs for what is right. A leader you want to follow and whose example encourages you to be a better person; while the antagonist is cold and unyielding, and uses fear and intimidation to influence his followers. So why do so many military leaders adapt this antagonist leadership style? Are our leaders lacking empathy? And what can we do about it?
LTC Harry C. Garner, U.S. Army, Retired wrote a great article on the topic of empathy, I encourage you to read it: http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/repository/dcl_GarnerArticle.pdf
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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I double checked just to make sure. It wasn't there, it wasn't.
14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits
Justice
Judgment
Dependability
Integrity
Decisiveness
Tact
Initiative
Endurance
Bearing
Unselfishness
Courage
Knowledge
Loyalty
Enthusiasm
Empathy is the ability to experience the feelings of another person. It goes beyond sympathy, which is caring and understanding for the suffering of others.
14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits
Justice
Judgment
Dependability
Integrity
Decisiveness
Tact
Initiative
Endurance
Bearing
Unselfishness
Courage
Knowledge
Loyalty
Enthusiasm
Empathy is the ability to experience the feelings of another person. It goes beyond sympathy, which is caring and understanding for the suffering of others.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
I would look under the Marine Leadership Principles "Know your Marines and look out for their welfare." Some of the actions listed in this section would fall under empathy such as "Share the hardships of your Marines so you can better understand their reactions."
From reading over this material, I would have to say that leadership in the Marines seems much more rigid.
From reading over this material, I would have to say that leadership in the Marines seems much more rigid.
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Cpl Jeff N.
Empathy is a sub-trait of quite a few of those Marine Corps Leadership Traits. One could find empathy under justice, judgment, dependability and integrity.
It's all rolled up under Character.
Empathy is a sub-trait of quite a few of those Marine Corps Leadership Traits. One could find empathy under justice, judgment, dependability and integrity.
It's all rolled up under Character.
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Cpl Jeff N.
SGT Kristin Wiley The leadership approach in the Marine Corps tends to be much more mission oriented (you said rigid). The leadership principles you looked up along with the 14 traits I listed are cornerstones for leadership training. I don't think they have changed at all since I was in about 30 years ago.
Empathy, while desirable in some professions, would be challenging in a mission oriented organization that must win battles. I can know my Marines and look out their welfare (are they fed, hydrated, in as a good condition as the situation allows etc) without trying to "experience their feelings". The job as a Marine NCO is to accomplish the mission first.
Empathy, while desirable in some professions, would be challenging in a mission oriented organization that must win battles. I can know my Marines and look out their welfare (are they fed, hydrated, in as a good condition as the situation allows etc) without trying to "experience their feelings". The job as a Marine NCO is to accomplish the mission first.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
Mission oriented. That sounds like a better description. I can see how Marine leadership can be more effective in some aspects, but I think it would be benficial if they focused more on developing character traits. I would want Marines that do the right thing because its the right thing. Not do the right thing because thats what they were taught to do in that specific situation. Its one thing to win a battle, but I don't want my troops looking back and wondering if that was a battle we should have even been fighting. I want them to know what they are fighting for and against, not to just follow orders blindly.
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I hope and pray, that as a leader, I was exceedingly empathetic with my subordinates.
A good leader, I believe: Is compassionate, empathetic, sympathetic....
A good leader, I believe: Is compassionate, empathetic, sympathetic....
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I'm not certain empathy is an “across the board” leadership trait. To me, a leadership trait is something that any leader should be able to exude. However, empathy is not a trait that everyone can have. By definition alone, ‘empathy’ means that one can relate and understand because of a shared experience. A subordinate leader or Soldier might be going through a situation that the leader has never experienced; ergo impossible to empathize.
However, I strongly believe that ‘sympathy’ should be a trait that all individuals possess. You might not know from experience what someone is going through, but you have the ability to at least attempt to understand. I always try to place myself in the shoes of another. How would I feel? How would I react?
It is not always easy to just sympathize or empathize and lead away. Truth is, there are so many variables and factors in a situation that makes each one unique. At times, leading and making the hard choices with emotion is the worst course of action.
However, I strongly believe that ‘sympathy’ should be a trait that all individuals possess. You might not know from experience what someone is going through, but you have the ability to at least attempt to understand. I always try to place myself in the shoes of another. How would I feel? How would I react?
It is not always easy to just sympathize or empathize and lead away. Truth is, there are so many variables and factors in a situation that makes each one unique. At times, leading and making the hard choices with emotion is the worst course of action.
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Intesting read. The article is a few years old. It discuses empathy and a guardian vs warrior type of mentality.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/ [login to see] _policeacademyxml.html
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/ [login to see] _policeacademyxml.html
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SGT Kristin Wiley
"expressing empathy, following constitutional requirements and treating citizens with respect and dignity." If you're going to fight for something, its important to understand what you're fighting for.
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Empathy can be easily misinterpreted as being overly sensitive and touchy feely, when that's not really what it means. What it really comes down to is the ability to see through your Soldier's eyes as well as your own. To understand where they are coming from, allow that perspective to help inform you, and - armed with that understanding - determine the best way to execute the mission.
Understanding your Soldiers is not the same as being a bleeding heart. Sometimes the best thing for the Soldier is a swift kick in the ass... sometimes it's an ear to listen and understand what they are facing... sometimes it's a written counseling statement... sometimes it's one-on-one training time... sometimes it's a directive for them to STFU... sometimes it's the one in CHARGE that needs to STFU for a second and learn what your Soldier has to teach YOU.
It's wise to have more than one tool in your toolbox.
Understanding your Soldiers is not the same as being a bleeding heart. Sometimes the best thing for the Soldier is a swift kick in the ass... sometimes it's an ear to listen and understand what they are facing... sometimes it's a written counseling statement... sometimes it's one-on-one training time... sometimes it's a directive for them to STFU... sometimes it's the one in CHARGE that needs to STFU for a second and learn what your Soldier has to teach YOU.
It's wise to have more than one tool in your toolbox.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
Sir,
I believe you just described this phrase from the NCO creed "I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own." How can you truly know your soldiers without empathy? Knowing them, allows leaders to motivate them in the proper way for the individual and the team. As you said, some need swift kick in the ass and others just want to know that their voice is being heard.
I believe you just described this phrase from the NCO creed "I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own." How can you truly know your soldiers without empathy? Knowing them, allows leaders to motivate them in the proper way for the individual and the team. As you said, some need swift kick in the ass and others just want to know that their voice is being heard.
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I'm reminded of the common response to Soldier complaints. "I had to do the same thing." For instance, recently a team member requested a pass to celebrate her husband's (dual military couple) redeployment. All proper procedures were followed and her leadership approved the pass, however, a senior leader denied the pass with this explanation: "I didnt get a pass when my spouse redeployed." Total lack of empathy. Why a leader want to a subordinate to endure unnecessary hardship is beyond me, especially when the leader had been in the same crap situation.
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