The United States Marine Corps is one of the most prestigious units of the American Armed Forces.
One of the reasons for this is its focus on leadership training and its adoption of 14 leadership traits that, for those who have been through the Marine Corps training, will always be known by the acronym,
updated for v6.00444 11/15/22 1107
Attachment 1: JJDIDTIEBUCKLE - US Marine Corps Leadership Traits
The Marine Corps has a distinct identity within the US military as one of the best-led organizations with high esprit de corps.
This is what the 14 letters of the acronym stand for.
"Justice consists in doing no injury to men; decency in giving them no offense."
John Gardner said,
"When hiring key employees, there are only two qualities to look for: judgment and taste. Almost everything else can be bought by the yard."
Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile. It’s the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship."
Soichiro Honda said,
"The most important thing is the respect for people within the corporation and so it is incumbent on the managers to create an environment within a corporation in which all employees are encouraged to take initiatives in carrying out the work and doing the work with pleasure."
Ed Lawler said,
"Employees are most motivated to make a business successful when they understand and have ongoing information about it, have the power to make decisions and are rewarded according to its success."
Joshua Gilbert Holland said,
"The secret of man's success resides in his insight into the moods of people, and his tact in dealing with them."
John Akers said,
"Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust."
Stanley Baldwin said,
"Fires can't be made with dead embers, nor can enthusiasm be stirred by spiritless men. Enthusiasm in our daily work lightens effort and turns labor into pleasant tasks."
Marie Curie said,
"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained."
Lao Tzu said,
"One who is skillful in using men puts himself below them. This is called the virtue of non-competing. This is called the strength to use men. This is called matching Heaven. The highest principle of old."
Walt Disney said,
"Courage is the main quality of leadership, in my opinion: courage to initiate something and keep it going - pioneering an adventurous spirit to blaze new ways."
Admiral Arleigh Burke said,
"Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you do a job. That takes all of the good characteristics, like integrity, dedication of purpose, selflessness, knowledge, skill, implacability, as well as determination not to accept failure."
Grace Murray Hopper said,
“Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect for one's superiors; care for one's crew.”
The Buddha said,
"Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes."
These 14 traits are as valid for the leaders of the US Marine Corps as they are for leaders in any other enterprise whether big or small, public or private, money-making or not-for-profit. That's because they are traits which are in everyone of us and why true leadership is not about accidents of birth or being lucky but about demonstrating qualities that inspire others to achieve the best they can.
