Posted on Feb 15, 2018
LTC RET Allen B. West Offers Leadership Advice At SHOT Show Seminar
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The SHOT Show is an annual event in Las Vegas that includes an Executive Management Seminar. Among this year’s speakers was political commentator Allen B. West.
West is a former Florida Congressman and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. He provided a high-energy talk about leadership.
West first discussed what he calls the five C’s of leadership. He based his knowledge of leadership on his experiences in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, in addition to commanding a battalion during the Iraq War in 2003.
West’s Five C’s of Leadership
Courage – West pointed out that a leader must have courage. In WWII’s Battle of Bastogne, a U.S. army infantry regiment was surrounded by the enemy. The Germans demanded that the unit surrender and its commander, Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, sent back the single word message “NUTS!” The unit was later rescued by General Patton’s 3rd Army.
Competence – West noted that a leader must be competent.
Control – West said a leader “is visionary and not about reaction, but about response. You need to have a vision for your business and know where you want to be in three months, three years and five years. You need to anticipate the path ahead and plan for contingencies.”
Commitment – “You must have a core set of principles,” West said. “Conviction of your principles means do not be a weather vane. You must tell people what they NEED to hear, not what they WANT to hear.”
Character – West’s final observation was “Character is doing what is right when nobody is looking.”
Other Leadership Observations from West
West noted that leaders should be the most expendable person on a team. “An effective unit does not shut down because one person is not there,” he said.
According to West, great leaders like Alexander the Great and Hannibal led from the front. In other words, leaders should show they know and understand the business while setting an example for their employees.
Sending Notes is a Good Way to Stay Connected with Employees
West recommended sending out an email every week to employees to keep them informed. By letting employees know your thoughts as a leader, they feel a part of the operation.
West also said, “It is good to have a quick summation of the week of what was accomplished and what the group needs to accomplish in the next week. This also helps to focus employees on appropriate tasks.”
West Notes that His Success in Life Comes from Hard Work
West has a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience. He said his path in life was not always easy, but he always worked to be better. His closing comment was: “America is about equality of opportunity, not outcomes.”
West has been blessed with many opportunities, which he worked hard to convert into successes. He still leads by example.
About the Author
James R. Lint recently retired as the (GG-15) civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. He is an adjunct professor at AMU. James has been involved in cyberespionage events from just after the turn of the century in Korea supporting 1st Signal Brigade to the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the first government cyber intelligence analyst. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, government contracting and civil service.
Additionally, James started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity that recently awarded its 49th scholarship for national security students and professionals. James was also elected as the 2015 national vice president for the Military Intelligence Corps Association. He has also served in the Department of Energy’s S&S Security Office after his active military career in the Marine Corps for seven years and 14 years in the Army. His military assignments include South Korea, Germany and Cuba, in addition to numerous CONUS locations. In 2017, he was appointed to the position of Adjutant for The American Legion, China Post 1. James has authored a book published in 2013, “Leadership and Management Lessons Learned,” a book published in 2016 “8 Eyes on Korea, A Travel Perspective of Seoul, Korea,” and a new book in 2017 “Secrets to Getting a Federal Government Job.”
West is a former Florida Congressman and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. He provided a high-energy talk about leadership.
West first discussed what he calls the five C’s of leadership. He based his knowledge of leadership on his experiences in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, in addition to commanding a battalion during the Iraq War in 2003.
West’s Five C’s of Leadership
Courage – West pointed out that a leader must have courage. In WWII’s Battle of Bastogne, a U.S. army infantry regiment was surrounded by the enemy. The Germans demanded that the unit surrender and its commander, Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, sent back the single word message “NUTS!” The unit was later rescued by General Patton’s 3rd Army.
Competence – West noted that a leader must be competent.
Control – West said a leader “is visionary and not about reaction, but about response. You need to have a vision for your business and know where you want to be in three months, three years and five years. You need to anticipate the path ahead and plan for contingencies.”
Commitment – “You must have a core set of principles,” West said. “Conviction of your principles means do not be a weather vane. You must tell people what they NEED to hear, not what they WANT to hear.”
Character – West’s final observation was “Character is doing what is right when nobody is looking.”
Other Leadership Observations from West
West noted that leaders should be the most expendable person on a team. “An effective unit does not shut down because one person is not there,” he said.
According to West, great leaders like Alexander the Great and Hannibal led from the front. In other words, leaders should show they know and understand the business while setting an example for their employees.
Sending Notes is a Good Way to Stay Connected with Employees
West recommended sending out an email every week to employees to keep them informed. By letting employees know your thoughts as a leader, they feel a part of the operation.
West also said, “It is good to have a quick summation of the week of what was accomplished and what the group needs to accomplish in the next week. This also helps to focus employees on appropriate tasks.”
West Notes that His Success in Life Comes from Hard Work
West has a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience. He said his path in life was not always easy, but he always worked to be better. His closing comment was: “America is about equality of opportunity, not outcomes.”
West has been blessed with many opportunities, which he worked hard to convert into successes. He still leads by example.
About the Author
James R. Lint recently retired as the (GG-15) civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. He is an adjunct professor at AMU. James has been involved in cyberespionage events from just after the turn of the century in Korea supporting 1st Signal Brigade to the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the first government cyber intelligence analyst. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, government contracting and civil service.
Additionally, James started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity that recently awarded its 49th scholarship for national security students and professionals. James was also elected as the 2015 national vice president for the Military Intelligence Corps Association. He has also served in the Department of Energy’s S&S Security Office after his active military career in the Marine Corps for seven years and 14 years in the Army. His military assignments include South Korea, Germany and Cuba, in addition to numerous CONUS locations. In 2017, he was appointed to the position of Adjutant for The American Legion, China Post 1. James has authored a book published in 2013, “Leadership and Management Lessons Learned,” a book published in 2016 “8 Eyes on Korea, A Travel Perspective of Seoul, Korea,” and a new book in 2017 “Secrets to Getting a Federal Government Job.”
Defense and Space
Government Administration
Washington
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 8
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree whole-heartedly with communication being added. I can't tell you how many times I've dealt with leadership that work in the same dang office not telling anyone (superiors and subordinates alike) something. Email, phone call, face to face, it doesn't matter but just communicate.
Something as simple as something like not letting people know the network printer is down may seem mundane and beneath you, but keeping that mindset and lack of communication can easily get someone hurt when the bullets are flying.
Something as simple as something like not letting people know the network printer is down may seem mundane and beneath you, but keeping that mindset and lack of communication can easily get someone hurt when the bullets are flying.
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A tidbit about LTC West, he was in the Army and was the Liaison Officer to the 2d Marine Division. A lot of docs will tell of times being attached to another service.
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CSM Charles Hayden
Another tidbit: Gen Odinero did his best to DUMP LTC West w/o his pension. LTC West managed to complete his 20!
Wikipedia has a great summary of LTC Alan West’s career.
Wikipedia has a great summary of LTC Alan West’s career.
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