What is the single greatest "trait" you look for in a Leader?

SGT Anthony Rossi — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:34:28 -0400

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 24 at 2015 5:39 PM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:39:37 -0400

Can't look for just one as one trait doesn't make a good leader

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 5:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:40:52 -0400

Someone who gets out and works with their team/squad.

Response by SGT George Romiti made Jul 24 at 2015 5:41 PM

SGT George Romiti — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:41:12 -0400

The gods honest truth...
Plus doing the right thing, lead by example...

Response by SGT Kevin Smith made Jul 24 at 2015 5:41 PM

SGT Kevin Smith — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:41:33 -0400

For me, I think it is a "don't forget where you came from" approach. A lot if "leaders" I had to deal with my last few years in made rank and immediately became Bullies. They forgot what is was like to come through the ranks

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 5:42 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:42:38 -0400

Willingness to do hard work.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 5:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:42:52 -0400

Airborne wings! Kidding, but in all seriousness no one trait exemplifies a great leader. Leadership is molded by the opinions of those in which you are responsible for leading.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jul 24 at 2015 5:43 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:43:10 -0400

If I had to single out a trait I would say maturity.

Response by SGT Joseph Curl made Jul 24 at 2015 5:48 PM

SGT Joseph Curl — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:48:21 -0400

If I had To pick someone from one trait only it would be compassion. A compassionate leader will lead from the front, will earn the trust and respect of his subordinates, and will understand the importance of his/her role in a leadership position. If the person is considered for a leadership position they likely already have the experience and knowledge required. Second to compassion word be confidence. These two things aren't easily learned. They are natural traits that exist in natural leaders. They can be learned, but not as easily as div-Pam could be memorized cover to cover.

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Jul 24 at 2015 5:50 PM

SGT Tim Tobin — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:50:56 -0400

Intelligence

Response by SGT John Wesley made Jul 24 at 2015 5:51 PM

SGT John Wesley — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:51:06 -0400

The ability to not micromanage, but put their faith in delegating.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 24 at 2015 5:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:59:16 -0400

The indomitable spirit of winning regardless of the worst circumstances, and charging the hill that must be taken. Alexander the Great never lost a battle. When he saw a weakness in the opposing army, he quickly and boldly attacked it.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jul 24 at 2015 6:00 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:00:12 -0400

Confidence....

Response by SGT Edward Thomas made Jul 24 at 2015 6:00 PM

SGT Edward Thomas — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:00:15 -0400

Do they lead from the front.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 6:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:02:42 -0400

Common sense

Response by SGT Steve Vincent made Jul 24 at 2015 6:06 PM

SGT Steve Vincent — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:06:16 -0400

For me, personally, the most important trait in any leader is accountability, which includes the ability to own a mistake, to take the blame when due and push forward. Mistakes happen, especially in a military environment. Training alleviates the majority, but we are human, not machines. Humans make mistakes; the mark of a true leader is the ability to face said mistake, and to learn from it and continue to grow. Once you take the mantle of leadership, from team leader to General, doesn't mean you stop learning...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 6:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:08:23 -0400

Integrity.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 24 at 2015 6:18 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:18:35 -0400

That they share your burden.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Jul 24 at 2015 6:20 PM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:20:30 -0400

Humility.
A leader should know his own faults. Leave the arrogance in check and realize he/she is part of a team and no more important than anyone else.
Being the boss doesnt mean you cant be humble.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jul 24 at 2015 6:22 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:22:51 -0400

The building block is INTEGRITY.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 6:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:35:30 -0400

There are a lot of good traits in a leader and it would be hard to say one is greater than the other. If I had to choose one I would say Patience. Leaders today have to be in control and have a calm demeanor about themselves in order to effectively lead their troops. In front of your Soldiers you need to show them that you are capable of solving their problems without freaking your Soldiers out by escalating the issue. If you handle problems in that manner your troops will come to you with their issues. If you are always screaming and yelling and freaking out every time someone says their is a problem then you are that NCO no one will bring their issues to, which will render you ineffective as leader. I heard a quote a while ago that said A Leaders attitude is caught by his or her followers more quickly then his or her actions. How you carry yourself and how you solve your Soldiers problems measures in volumes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 6:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:56:13 -0400

Honesty.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 7:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 19:43:35 -0400

The strikingly handsome face of a Ranger.

Response by CPT Tamara Brewer made Jul 24 at 2015 7:54 PM

CPT Tamara Brewer — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 19:54:08 -0400

Integrity

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 24 at 2015 8:28 PM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 20:28:16 -0400

Mutual respect.

Response by SGT Sal Ceravolo made Jul 24 at 2015 9:33 PM

SGT Sal Ceravolo — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 21:33:52 -0400

Ability to inspire others to be a leader

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 9:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 21:36:25 -0400

Never stop never quit

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 24 at 2015 9:36 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 21:36:28 -0400

The trait I look forward to is honesty. Tell everyone the truth no matter how painful.

Response by SGT Eric Dziekan made Jul 24 at 2015 10:40 PM

SGT Eric Dziekan — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 22:40:01 -0400

One who leads by example, willing to get their hands dirty earns my respect. Shows that they too are part of the team. Goes back to the old infantry call "follow me"! Out of the trenches of WWI. Puts the "lead in leadership".

Response by SGT Kevin Putala made Jul 24 at 2015 11:30 PM

SGT Kevin Putala — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 23:30:23 -0400

That they lead by example and not by word.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 1:53 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 01:53:45 -0400

Humility. Being able to communicate through humility and knowing that you do not know everything creates a better environment to accomplish the mission.

Response by SGT Mike Rudd made Jul 25 at 2015 2:35 AM

SGT Mike Rudd — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 02:35:09 -0400

The trait I look for in a leader is "trust " if you can't trust your leader how will you fight for and with him when the time comes .

Response by PFC Chris Hemingway made Jul 25 at 2015 10:56 AM

PFC Chris Hemingway — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:56:10 -0400

Willingness to say screw the paperwork and goes and does so of the menial work with the lower ranks. I saw a captain do this once we had to tear apart an old dfac attached to the barracks and set it up as extra barracks rooms because we had an influx of soldiers. One day the captain and 1sg decided to help with the project. I thought it was incredible that an officer would choose to leave his office and dealing with the everyday things necessary to run a unit, to spend time doing hard labor with us. In my opinion that is what makes a good leader. One who doesnt order for the sake of orders but one who understands what its like to do the job hes ordered someone to do.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 1:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:49:48 -0400

Nurturing. I don't mean a coddling mother figure, but someone who will put in the extra hours to take care of their soldiers and set them up for success.

Having soldiers obey your orders isn't all there is to leadership. I would argue that if that's all you have going, you're not a leader at all. You're just a boss.

Take care of your soldiers. They recognize and appreciate it, and (for the most part) will work hard for you if you do. Those problem cases can be tackled as needed.

Be there to ensure your team succeeds, not to punish them when they fail.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 2:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:46:41 -0400

Transparency. A dedicated, honest, and committed leader will delineate his vision at front, listen to his staff and be forward in his guidance in a way that everyone me can understand his reasoning without asking and without questioning.

Response by SGT James Vidito made Jul 25 at 2015 3:36 PM

SGT James Vidito — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 15:36:31 -0400

There are three characteristics of a leader. Every leader must have them. Hunger, honor and honability. Without any one of these you won't have a good leader. Without hunger, there's no drive. Without honor, there's no trust. Without honability, they'll never learn.

Response by SGT Eric Cote made Jul 26 at 2015 1:04 AM

SGT Eric Cote — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 01:04:57 -0400

courage, decisiveness

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 10:12 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 10:12:56 -0400

I think a leader that allows junior leader autonomy is essential. As long as a solid mentorship program exists for support and guidance, a junior leader must be allowed to develop and execute plans within and slightly outside of his/her level of responsibility. Mistakes should be used as learning points and not punishment as long as those mistakes aren't grossly negligent. Autonomy builds task ownership and pride in the end result. I can tell Soldiers what I want them to do and how I want them to do it, but I don't want mindless bag stackers. I want my 20 levels to grow into dependable 30s and my 30s to make indispensable 40s. I need to be able to know how my LTs are going to operate in the absence of leadership and what better way to do that than in a controlled CONUS environment. In the end, my Soldiers will move on to bigger and better things and it's my responsibility to ensure that they will be a positive addition to their destinations instead of a negative one.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 26 at 2015 1:59 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 13:59:23 -0400

A trait I think is important is integrity.

Response by SGT Mitch McKinley made Jul 26 at 2015 7:03 PM

SGT Mitch McKinley — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 19:03:27 -0400

1. Integrity
1A. Willingness to admit they don't know everything and at times get it wrong.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 8:41 PM

SN Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 20:41:39 -0400

Brains, and Example

Response by CPT Matthew Bate made Jul 26 at 2015 8:49 PM

CPT Matthew Bate — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 20:49:07 -0400

Humility is one of those keystone traits which translates into a host of others.

Response by SGT Paul Dusing made Jul 27 at 2015 10:08 PM

SGT Paul Dusing — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 22:08:43 -0400

Patience

Response by SGT Toby Vado made Jul 28 at 2015 2:43 AM

SGT Toby Vado — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 02:43:03 -0400

Empathy

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 7:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 07:32:18 -0400

Honor.

Response by SGT Kevin Seitz made Jul 28 at 2015 3:40 PM

SGT Kevin Seitz — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:40:37 -0400

Communication

Response by SGT Jason Weisbrich made Jul 28 at 2015 7:59 PM

SGT Jason Weisbrich — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 19:59:45 -0400

After having seen quite a bit of what not to emulate, I think the single greatest trait is the ability to mentor. To be a mentor, you have to be a believer in what you teach. If an NCO doesn't just regurgitate the NCO creed for the board, but honestly believes in it, and can provide solid mentorship, the Army will be much better than when he or she left it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:05 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:05:32 -0400

Being approchable. If a leader is approchable, then 9 times out 10, I will feel comfortable about bringing up any issues or ideas.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Jul 29 at 2015 4:17 PM

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 16:17:57 -0400

Trustworthiness (integrity)

Response by SGT Wayne Vanasse made Jul 29 at 2015 5:49 PM

SGT Wayne Vanasse — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 17:49:39 -0400

That you are present, that you communicate, lead by example

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 29 at 2015 6:56 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:56:57 -0400

I changed mine. A good leader is able to assess a complex problem and quickly find solutions for it.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 29 at 2015 7:11 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 19:11:34 -0400

Honesty and not afraid to fail

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 7:21 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 19:21:54 -0400

Humility...reference Good to Great by Jim Collins

Response by SGT Kevin Loncher made Jul 30 at 2015 8:06 PM

SGT Kevin Loncher — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 20:06:14 -0400

Service to others

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 10:54 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 10:54:24 -0400

Sorry, I can't pick just one. I strive daily to maintain improve my own competency, character, and commitment, and those are the three traits I look for in other leaders.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 1:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 01:46:26 -0400

Leads by example, not by force.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 8:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 20:47:56 -0400

There isn't just one trait that I look for... But if I had to choose just one, I would look for integrity... In my Army experience, I have seen few leaders(NCO's) live the essence of the Creed of the Non-
Commissioned Officer... Mission, Soldier, Self! Too many are submerged in their own careers and social lives instead of building their team, mentoring their soldiers, and training the lower enlisted to become great NCO's... They are more than willing to throw their own soldiers under the bus to save their own asses, and this causes mistrust from their soldiers. As an NCO, I do my best to earn my (and other) soldiers' trust. I want them to know that I am there for them if and when they need me, and that I will stand by them even when they mess up. I also encourage them to do what is right for their career, as well as their health. I may not be the best NCO in existence, but I do my best with what I have...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 8:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:26:43 -0400

At Sergeant Major once told me - "If you take care of your people, they will take care of you, and the rest will take care of itself." A leader that can embody and live by this mantra will be successful.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 7 at 2015 4:03 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:03:58 -0400

One "trait" doesn't really measure a leader,but the ability to make a quick informed decision is essential in combat.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 8:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:37:10 -0400

Leading from the front.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 1:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:09:43 -0400

One that took care of their subordinates whether it was corrective action or keeping flak off them.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 3 at 2015 8:52 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:52:57 -0400

To lead by example

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Sep 3 at 2015 11:50 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:50:00 -0400

The ability to serve whether it is in a support role, or behind the scenes.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 4 at 2015 12:02 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 00:02:43 -0400

one who is decisive but is willing to listen to his subordinates

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Mar 1 at 2020 3:13 AM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 03:13:45 -0500

Some who is genuinely excited about the opportunity to lead and understands the privilege of doing so.