What's the best advice on leadership you ever received from a leader?

My best advice was in the form of the example Col Andrew Beveridge set for us. There is nothing we would not do for him.

THE best advice: be you first, don't order someone to do something that you have not or would not do yourself. Great question!

These are what Marine Leaders live by: Our leadership traits and principles.
Marine Corps Leadership Principles and Traits

Marine Corps Leadership Principles
• Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
• Be technically and tactically proficient.
• Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.
• Make sound and timely decisions.
• Set the example.
• Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.
• Keep your Marines informed.
• Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.
• Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.
• Train your Marines as a team.
• Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.

Marine Corps Leadership Traits
• Dependability
The certainty of proper performance of duty.
• Bearing
Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance and personal conduct at all
times.
• Courage
The mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a man to
proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.
• Decisiveness
Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, forceful manner.
• Endurance
The mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress
and hardship.
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• Enthusiasm
The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.
• Initiative
Taking action in the absence of orders.
• Integrity
Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of
truthfulness and honesty.
• Judgment
The ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.
• Justice
Giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in question. The ability
to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.
• Knowledge
Understanding of a science or an art. The range of one’s information, including
professional knowledge and an understanding of your Marines.
• Tact
The ability to deal with others without creating offense.
• Unselfishness
Avoidance of providing for one’s own comfort and personal advancement at the
expense of others.
• Loyalty
The quality of faithfulness to country, the Corps, the unit, to one’s seniors,
subordinates and peers.

I hope this helps. It helped me when I needed it.

Leadership is a pretty broad term but what it boils down to is this. Leadership is influence nothing more nothing less. Best I advice I have received and can pass on for leaders is concentrate and develop your ability to influence others and the leader in you will begin to emerge. If you do not influence others you are just out for a walk because no one is following.

Lead by example, don't ask or require work from others without some form of understanding or knowledge of that work you've asked to be done. This knowledge will help you to understand what is required to accomplish the task and it will give those who are under your leadership the impression that you do not work from disregard of or ignorance in the situation.

The absolute best advice I have ever received is very simple, "concern yourself with your part of the Army and make it the best that you can". You cannot control what is outside your realm of influence so unless someone that can asks your opinion, don't waste the time and energy worrying or complaining about it. Take care of what you have control of and make it better.

There's really no blue prints of how to lead troops there's tips and advice but my best advice is take everything you've liked about leaders you've had and try to emulate that and don't emulate things you didn't like but my number one thing when I first met my fire team is if you NEED something I'll do what I can to get you what you need you can't give them everything they want but do everything you can to get them what they need

PV2 Lisa Wilcox. I began my 30 year career as an Army PVT E-1, Infantry. I retired as a full Colonel having been Enlisted (to E-7), Warrant Officer, and Commissioned Officer. I advised my 1Lt Air Force daughter that the best way to 'lead' is to walk in other's shoes...be Enlisted first, then Officer. Also, the best 'lesson' I ever learned was to watch someone screw up badly, then promise myself that when my turn came to never do it the way that individual did. My daughter did both - was Enlisted for five years then went to Air Force Officer School and uses the lessons she learned from failures of others to find success in her own endeavors. I'm happy to report she is highly respected by all she comes in contact with. Hope this helps. JCH

Never give up, because your going on to something better things.

One of the pieces of advice I received from a very good squad leader when I was a team leader was, you can lie to your friends, your girlfriend or your wife. But don't lie to me. I have to keep you alive in combat. This was not directed at me, but at another soldier in the squad. It has stuck with me all these years, and I am now retired for five+ years!