Sustainable Excellence Xtras #90 - Observations On Leadership With Frances Hesselbein

If someone asked you, "What does leadership mean to you, how would you respond?"

According to Fortune Magazine, of the Fortune 500 companies, 163 Chief Executive Officers are members of the United State Marine Corps (because once a Marine, always a Marine).

The Marine Corps defines leadership as: "The sum of those qualities of intellect, human understanding, and moral character that enable a person to inspire and control a group of people successfully."

Based on that definition, the United States Marine Corps has developed eleven leadership principles that assist the person in charge in carrying out the Corps' Core Values of: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.  These principles are:

1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement.

2. Be technically and tactically proficient.

3. Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.  

4. Keep your Marines informed.

5. Set the example.

6. Ensure the task is understood, supervised, and accomplished.

7. Train your Marines as a team.

8. Make sound and timely decisions.

9. Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.

10. Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.

11. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.

How could you use these eleven principles to carry out the Core Values of your organization?

Please watch the video below regarding another leader, Frances Hesselbein, who was the former chief executive of the Girl Scouts, U.S.A., and how she viewed leadership.

Also please leave me a comment about your thoughts regarding the Marine Corps leadership principles or the views Ms. Hesselbein had on leadership.