What do you feel makes someone a great Military Leader?

SGT Aaron Olivas — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 16:25:33 -0400

I will be using this data for a Military Discourse Community research paper. Please feel free to answer the survey questions and comment a more in-dept personal analysis below.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2019 4:53 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 16:53:55 -0400

The ability to listen and effectively communicate

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 2 at 2019 6:23 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 18:23:38 -0400

Selflessness

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Nov 2 at 2019 11:45 PM

SSG Dave Johnston — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 23:45:26 -0400

How does one "Lead": Authoritarian, Coercion, Persuasion, or a combination of all three; yes, all three can and will be used during ones career, but it's the circumstances that dictate when each method, or combinations thereof should or should not be used. If one is unable to judge the "when" of the type/style of leadership needed they can/will lower the morale of the unit. What is most important though is the personality of the individual that commands; consider, that under certain circumstances, a junior enlisted may project that "Command" persona greater than a mid-Grade officer. The other aspect to consider is the "coat-tails" leadership [Granddaddy was, Daddy was, therefore, I is]. To me, however, it is the individual that is able to develop and maintain comradery and respect amongst their peers that makes for a good or great military leader.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Nov 3 at 2019 1:12 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:12:26 -0400

Never ask a soldier to do something that you as a leader cannot do better

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2019 1:31 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:31:27 -0400

In my opinion, it is in the grander scheme of things that what makes someone a great military leader is the support and mentorship of others.

How often is this stressed by the great heroes of our past? It's a common theme in the biographies of Hackworth, Winters, and Mattis to name a few. Empirically, greatness seems to be a torch handed off from one solider to the next.

Military work is team work, no one becomes great on their own. Our character traits seem to fall secondary to the ability to learn and follow others in humility. My ability to think critically or utilize emotional intelligence may make "me" great, but my leadership will only be elevated to greatness because others take it to that height. I don't know much, but this seems to be what the voices of the past are trying to teach me.

Thanks for bringing up the topic. I've seen it come up before, here are other thoughts I read through:

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-makes-a-great-leader-in-todays-military
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/can-you-be-a-great-leader-without-technical-expertise
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-are-some-character-traits-that-a-great-nco-leader-should-have-and-do-you-have-any-advice-you-would-like-to-share
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-great-leaders-create-more-great-leaders

- This one is a little off topic, but provides an interesting light to the question. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/not-everyone-wants-to-be-a-leader-why-do-we-force-members-who-are-otherwise-great-at-what-they-do-into-positions-they-don-t-want

What makes a great leader in todays military? | RallyPoint

Looking to see everybody's input on what they think is a great leader

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2019 9:08 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 09:08:09 -0500

Integrity, moral courage, and a lot of motivation.

Response by SFC Grant Ross made Nov 4 at 2019 11:49 AM

SFC Grant Ross — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 11:49:07 -0500

Compassion and focus

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2019 9:35 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 21:35:43 -0500

The best military leader I served under was my old PSG/1SG, 1SG Osbourne. She is the epitome of everything the Army says they went out of a Non-Commissioned Officer. I knew immediately that she was a great leader when she