How I am growing into a leader during my time abroad
Jul 13th, 2022, 08:14 PM
#43
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well. I spent 17 years as an US Army officer, and I've attended courses on and read lots of books on leadership. I can tell you that being independent and self-sufficient is not leadership; being independent and self-sufficient may be prerequisites to becoming a leader, but they are not, in themselves, leadership.
I'm not sure I can write a good definition of leadership, but I can give some aspects of it --
Leaders are sacrificial. They sacrifice their time, their sleep, their self-care, their comfort, their own goals, their egos, their family time, and their hunger (leaders always eat last) to make sure that the team can accomplish its goal.
Leaders are planners. Leaders plan for today, for tomorrow, for next week, for next month, and for next year. They will anticipate problems and obstacles and will have options in mind for each possibility.
Leaders are resourceful. When things go awry, and things will go awry, leaders will be able to find solutions and materials so that the team will be able to accomplish its mission.
Leaders act quickly. When things go awry, and things will go awry, Leaders will be able to choose between the impossible options quickly and direct the team to take action (see, for example, Lt Winters in the series Band of Brothers).
Leaders communicate. Leaders communicate with authorities to learn about the mission, the intent of the mission, possible problems and obstacles, and possible options available. Leaders communicate with the team to pass on all the information and to learn what problems or distractions each member may be dealing with. And Leaders communicate with other teams and other leaders to learn about their solutions and options.
So. I do congratulate you for finding strength within yourself to persevere when you faced obstacles and discouragement, and I think you could very well become a good leader. You may want to learn some more about planning and anticipating problems, and about communication. When you are lucky enough to be in charge of a team, you will learn all about sacrifice, believe me.
In the meantime... enjoy your trip. Soak it all in. It is teaching you to be flexible and to be open. Let it work its magic. You have time to hone your leadership skills.
s
I'm not sure I can write a good definition of leadership, but I can give some aspects of it --
Leaders are sacrificial. They sacrifice their time, their sleep, their self-care, their comfort, their own goals, their egos, their family time, and their hunger (leaders always eat last) to make sure that the team can accomplish its goal.
Leaders are planners. Leaders plan for today, for tomorrow, for next week, for next month, and for next year. They will anticipate problems and obstacles and will have options in mind for each possibility.
Leaders are resourceful. When things go awry, and things will go awry, leaders will be able to find solutions and materials so that the team will be able to accomplish its mission.
Leaders act quickly. When things go awry, and things will go awry, Leaders will be able to choose between the impossible options quickly and direct the team to take action (see, for example, Lt Winters in the series Band of Brothers).
Leaders communicate. Leaders communicate with authorities to learn about the mission, the intent of the mission, possible problems and obstacles, and possible options available. Leaders communicate with the team to pass on all the information and to learn what problems or distractions each member may be dealing with. And Leaders communicate with other teams and other leaders to learn about their solutions and options.
So. I do congratulate you for finding strength within yourself to persevere when you faced obstacles and discouragement, and I think you could very well become a good leader. You may want to learn some more about planning and anticipating problems, and about communication. When you are lucky enough to be in charge of a team, you will learn all about sacrifice, believe me.
In the meantime... enjoy your trip. Soak it all in. It is teaching you to be flexible and to be open. Let it work its magic. You have time to hone your leadership skills.
s
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jerry
United States
26
Jul 25th, 2002 01:47 PM
