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JJ DID TIE BUCKLE

September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

In the Marine Corps there are words used, almost religiously, that represent characteristics sought out in Marines.  These characteristics are known as “The 14 Leadership Traits”. These traits are guidelines for Marines to follow in order to attain:

  • Leadership Responsibilities
  • Billets
  • Rank

The acronym JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is used when teaching young Marines of these dispositions:

  1. Judgment
  2. Justice
  3. Decisiveness
  4. Integrity
  5. Dependability
  6. Tact
  7. Initiative
  8. Endurance
  9. Bearing
  10. Unselfishness
  11. Courage
  12. Knowledge
  13. Loyalty
  14. Enthusiasm

Additionally, such traits are used to explain the necessity of respect for those of higher rank; for the Corps has endowed them with their rank because they have attained these qualities and are to be emulated.

DECISIVENESS is the ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear and forceful manner. I read an article that headlined: Decisiveness Generates Momentum. To improve your decisiveness practice being positive in your actions instead of acting half-heartedly or changing your mind on an issue.

“The percentage of mistakes in quick decisions is no greater than in long-drawn-out vacillation, and the
effect of decisiveness itself ‘makes things go’ and creates confidence.”
 – Anne O’Hare McCormick (1882-1954), First woman to win a Pulitzer prize for journalism

 

INTEGRITY means that you are honest and truthful in what you say or do. You put honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else. Be absolutely honest and truthful at all times. Stand up for what you believe to be right.

 

Click here for one minute videos of DECISIVENESS & INTEGRITY.

Filed Under: Building Blocks, Featured Articles, Leadership Tagged With: , , ,

LEADERSHIP MARINE CORPS STYLE

September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Note: Since last week’s issue I have heard from many of my readers expressing interest and excitement about this series on leadership.  Much of what you read is copied from existing documents. Why should I try and change something that works?

Forty years ago at this time I was deeply emerged in my Marine Corps boot camp experience and beginning my leadership journey.  Let’s journey together.

LEADERSHIP is the sum of those qualities of intellect, human understanding, and moral character that enables a person to inspire and to control a group of people successfully.

LEADERSHIP TRAITS or characteristics are those qualities of personality which are of greatest assistance in obtaining confidence, respect, obedience and loyal cooperation. There are 14 traits.

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES Developing these 11 leadership principles will help make you a better Marine. Together, they form a set of traits and values that define your character as a leader.

Adopting these principles guide your actions with your Marines and your unit, and provide direction throughout your career. The skills you learn now will stay with you long after you’ve finished training.

The principles are also an important tool for self-evaluation. As you progress, you can use them to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and seek self-improvement.

JUSTICE  is defined as the practice of being fair and consistent. A just person gives consideration to each side of a situation and bases rewards or punishments on merit. To improve yourself in this trait be honest with yourself about why you make a particular decision. Avoid favoritism. Try to be fair at all times and treat all things and people in an equal manner.

JUDGMENMT  is your ability to think about things clearly, calmly, and in an orderly fashion so that you can make good decisions. You can improve your judgment if you avoid making rash decisions. Approach problems with a common sense attitude.

VIDEO

This one link will take you to one-minute videos of all 14 traits. My recommendation is to view only the two traits you learn this week, in this way you won’t be confused about this week’s lesson.

Since this information as a whole is new to you I also recommend that you bookmark this page and make it a daily habit to review each of the two videos for this week.

Success in any endeavor is not built in a day, it’s built by daily habits. Do you want to learn something? Review it 5 or more times a week, make it a habit, plant and replant the info between your ears.

WARRIOR TRAITS. CITIZEN VALUES.

 

Filed Under: Attitude, Building Blocks, Education, Featured Articles, Leadership, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Foundations of Character

September 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

My readers are business people in some way.   And if you’ve been in business or on planet earth for any length of time you’ve met people.  Each one of those people you met has character. Some have outstanding character and others do not, not yet.

Like everything else about us our character changes, it evolves and hopefully grows towards outstanding or favorable.  A simple definition according to Webster is:  one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual.

Have you ever been exposed to a leadership training program of some sort? Do they offer Leadership 101 in universities? I consider myself fortunate to have been exposed to one of the finest leadership programs in the world by the United States Marine Corps.

While in boot camp (Parris Island, SC) the principles and traits of leadership were instilled within me. Currently the Marine Corps has some great short videos pertaining to leadership. Along with a short article that I write, you will also get a link to a video.

Am I trying to train you as Marines? No. But much of what I learned in the Marines I apply to my life today and so can you.

Beginning next week I will cover the 14 traits and 11 principles of leadership. You’ll watch videos that give the testimonies of Marines in and out of uniform.

The end of the year is just 15 weeks away at which time I will conclude this series.  Feel free to email me with your thoughts, comments or questions in the coming weeks.

Semper fidelis (Always faithful)
Marine Corps motto

Filed Under: Building Blocks, Education, Featured Articles, Leadership Tagged With: , ,