If you were to look at yourself closely and determine your greatest characteristics as a leader what would you want them to be?

Lesson I learned the hard way . . . Listen to your subordinates, but trust your own judgment. I was an early commissioned LT in the National Guard meaning that I was commissioned before I graduated college. I was a platoon leader of an anti-tank platoon that was chosen to be evaluated at annual training. One of my section sergeants wanted to dismount a TOW for an ambush and wanted to put it in a clump of bushes on the front slope. I thought it looked a little dicey, but as a new Pl who had been an NCO on active duty, I decided to "trust my NCO". When we sprung the ambush, the track
KS turned uphill toward us and over ran that position before they could u ass the AO. Needless to say, I got my ass chewed by the evaluator. Moral of the story? Listen go your subordinates, but don't be afraid to stand your ground when you know they are wrong.

MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP - Agreed Major. I said the ability to listen; I didn't say take it all as gospel!

Yes listening is a great skill here are a couple of pointers to take your listening to a new level.
1. Do not say anything when the other person stops talking. Many times in that 2 to 3 seconds of silence they will tell you more. This is a great to use when wanting to know more about someone or gathering information to make a decision.
2. Do not start telling your stories. Many times we get so caught up in what we want to say about our story that we are no longer listening. Even it they are still talking we are forming our story in our minds. Thinking is not listening.

the old BE, KNOW AND DO!