How do you build your Leader's Book?

Thank you 1sg! This is extremely helpful. Much appreciated

this does help Sir thank you

CPT (Join to see) - Remember avoid being the Unit Movement Officer lol

Thank you for recommending the book on leadership in the military. The topic of influence and leadership is fascinating and can apply to various aspects of life, not just the military. I recently came across an interesting book on the site https://freebooksummary.com/category/a-man-for-all-seasons, where the influence of one man changed many things. Though not military literature, the book highlights the importance of integrity, courage, and conviction in leadership. I think it could be a great read for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills. Thanks again for the recommendation.

Basic Cadet (Join to see) - Perhaps this will illuminate leadership further:

My goal is to define leadership from an academic perspective to a practical one. I hope this will illuminate something new, interesting, and useful. I recall during my army career; studies of leadership were relegated to vignettes. For example, COL Chamberlain talked to 200 Maine soldiers who refused to fight. He succeeded incorporate them into his regiment. At Gettysburg his regiment guarded the Union flank and defeated a larger force with a bayonet charge. However, vignettes have a lot to be desired in regard to leadership. I gleamed from COL Chamberlain’s actions he was compassionate, tactically sound, and aggressive.
This is how I approached being an US Army Officer. I had well trained soldiers who had high morale. I had subordinate leaders who did the right thing in supporting me and the soldiers. There is something about loving people. Something interesting happens, they will often love you back. I know it’s different in the military because we are in the business of killing, but you can still love or respect your people and subordinate leaders. I absolutely loved leading and taking care of the sons and daughters of this country. Most of what I will write was created in my head. Some of it I borrowed from the army institution. Good luck and be a damn fine leader!

CULTURE
When I commanded army units the first action I accomplished was to establish the culture. I got with my NCOs (subordinate leaders) to tell them what my expectations were. There would be no compromise. This is what I went over:
- Organizational Values: Loyalty. Respect. Honor. Integrity. Truth. Teamwork
- Fairness. No discrimination.
- The NCOs and I will try our best to take care of the soldiers.
- Push people to grow professionally and personally.
- Increase the morale.
- The NCOs and I will love our soldiers.
-

PLANNING
You can apply this process for current operations or new operations or tasks to your unit from the boss. I will predicate the following as if you got a new task for your unit.
- Look at the big picture. What is the corporation doing now? What does your boss want from you? What is in the corporate environment that is relevant to you and your unit. How does your unit fit in the corporation?
- If you are given a new task from your boss, find out exactly what he/she wants. This is the most important step.
- Formulate a plan to accomplish the task:
1. Who does what?
2. What will happen?
3. Where will it happen?
4. Why will it happen?
5. When will it happen?
6. How will it happen?
- This is how you execute of your plan. Execution it is easier to use phases. Let us assume the new task is offering a new financial product.
1. Phase I: Overview.
2. Phase II: Classroom instructions.
3. Phase III: Hands on training.
4. Phase IV: Certification.
- Who is in charge of what and who communicates with who.
- What external organization in your corporation do you need help from, and what is the plan to incorporate them into your plan?

COMMUNICATING
- When something new pops up like a new procedure or task immediately give your people a heads up. It does not have to be elaborate. “Folks the corporation wants to offer car loans. More information to follow.”
- If we are discussing a physical location such as your unit will occupy new office space or there is a requirement to set up in a different place, go to the site to learn about it. If you don’t do this, you will have some nasty surprises.
- Like I said if you are given a new task, figure out exactly what your boss wants. Then you can make your plan on who, what, where, why, and when.
- Get with your team and give this plan to as many people as possible, but your subordinate leaders must attend this event.
- Supervise and refine from start to completion. There might be new information or requirements.

MEETINGS
- Create a calendar months out. Put into the calendar important future events.
- Discuss current operations and future operations (if applicable).
- Ask for advice from your team. You do not know everything. They will help finish your calendar and or planning.
- If someone has a suggestion on a different course of action tell them thank you. Adopt if the suggestion is good. You want them to feel important and valued.
- Create a format for your meetings based on what you think is important.

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP TRAITS
- Roll up your sleaves when you can to work with your people. They will appreciate that you will get dirty with them.
- Always take care of your people and fight for them. This builds loyalty and it is simply good business practice.
- Be a great example by the way you carry yourself. You are driven by values. Be the best leader you can be. Epitomize goodness. Be that person people look up to. There is no compromising integrity.
- Build morale. Say thank you. Find out if you have funds for like birthday cakes, small parties, pizzas, etc. Be innovative in ways to build up morale. I arranged helicopter rides for my soldiers. I gave them dinner certificates. At my Christmas parties for the unit, the door prizes consisted of a TV, Boombox, DVD player. The prizes got smaller. One prize was an autographed picture of me in a frame. In the back was a 4-day pass. Essentially, they got 4 days off rom work with pay. The point is they wanted to win these prizes and I was rewarding them in a “World Class” manner.

- HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FOLKS. THANK THEM IN INNOVATIVE WAYS. THIS WILL BUILD UP MORALE!