ELEVEN LEADERSHIP

The Eleven Principles of Leadership

To help you be, know, and do; follow these eleven (11) principles of leadership taught to every member of

our armed forces:

1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement – In order to know yourself, you have to understand

your be, know, and do, attributes. Seeking self-improvement means continually strengthening your

attributes. This can be accomplished through self-study, formal classes, reflection, and interacting

with others.

2. Be technically proficient – As a leader, you must know your job and have a solid familiarity with

your employees’ tasks.

3. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions – Search for ways to guide your

organization to new heights. And when things go wrong, they always do sooner or later — do not

blame others. Analyze the situation, take corrective action, and move on to the next challenge.

4. Make sound and timely decisions – Use good problem solving, decision making, and planning

tools.

5. Set the example – Be a good role model for your employees. They must not only hear what they are

expected to do, but also see. We must become the change we want to see – Mahatma Gandhi

6. Know your people and look out for their well-being – Know human nature and the importance of

sincerely caring for your workers.

7. Keep your workers informed – Know how to communicate with not only them, but also seniors

and other key people.

8. Develop a sense of responsibility in your workers – Help to develop good character traits that will

help them carry out their professional responsibilities.

9. Ensure that tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished – Communication is the key to

this responsibility.

10. Train as a team – Although many so called leaders call their organization, department, section, etc.

a team, they are not really teams…they are just a group of people doing their jobs.

11. Use the full capabilities of your organization – By developing a team spirit, you will be able to

employ your organization, department, section, etc. to its fullest capabilities.