What's your personal "success formula?"

Sir

SGT Norman is correct and so was GEN Powell but there are
things, some very simple things, that many leaders screw up which cause there
downfalls. When I was in command I strived to: Follow my commanders’ intent,
respect my NCO’s and Chief Warrant Officers for the knowledge and
professionalism, understand the needs of the soldiers, and above all make sure
that soldiers got to do their jobs. 

Soldiers love to do their jobs, even the dirty parts, but too
often outside pressures to accomplish something outside the soldiers MOS have
them feeling that they are not appreciated.  Anyone who is feeling unappreciated isn’t
going to do a good job. They are not going to care. Not caring is as destructive
to the success of a transportation unit as it is to an infantry unit. I have
seen commanders do everything right.  Next
thing you know that unit commander who just  won that prize or award gets relieved a few
months later because there soldiers stopped caring about their mission and even
the military in general; then “Something Happened”.  Something got misplaced, someone got hurt, or
even someone called IG/EO/wrote to a senator and the CO finds himself with a
group who doesn’t want to help solve the problem.  The CO made his command look amazing but in
doing so he didn’t make his people feel amazing.  They felt used up, abused, and worst of all
unappreciated.

So my big piece of advice is this, “Be humble and appreciate
everyone.”

A consensus is a great place to start.   But connecting with other veterans and businesses we can solve (for the most part)  homeless,  be an adjunct to the existing travel agencies to get Veterans to their appointments.

Set up canteens and show movies or the movie channel.   There are also the causes like Pets,  Pet care and last but not least are the myriad health issues that range to PTSD,  cancer,  ALS and TBIs.   I have a friend in Raleigh who wants to help with his business to promote our concerns and that is just a first step.

To keep the concerns fresh in the minds of our youth is to get them to work with us and thus make this intergenerational.

United We Stand,

Do you want to help?

Sir, one of my first platoon sergeants taught me to learn something from everyone that you interact with.  Some people may have something that you don't like while others will have many items that are useful.  The key to taking in all of that information is to find what works best with your personality as well as leadership style.  Basically never stop learning and maintain who you are.

What I stated above with a determined work ethic has taken me far and is one of the most important things I attempt to teach my Soldiers.

For me, the path to success is situational. The terms of the environment/challenge/resources/time line requirements dictate my approach to achieving the goal. That ability to maintain some flexibility coupled with a strong support network (family, mentors, service based career developmental opportunities, formal and informal education resources) allow me at least the opportunity to be successful regardless of circumstance.

There is also much to be said for reading everything I can just to broaden my general and task specific knowledge base; listening more than I talk, and seeking out others who have demonstrated successful track records to learn their personal secrets.  

And finally, if it doesn't work one way, then seek another path; stay with it, and don't give up.