Leading like a marine

Sometimes it seems like there are more leadership techniques, books, and mantras than there are boxes of tissues in the world. But there’s one method used by the U.S. Marine Corps that does a good job of covering all the bases of great leadership.

Like many things in the military, the U.S. Marine Corps’ leadership traits can be remembered using an acronym. JJ-DIDTIEBUCKLE stands for: Justice, Judgement, Dependability, Initiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, and Endurance. To the Corps, these are the characteristics that define a good leader. They’re also traits that good business leaders exhibit and how they inspire those around them. These traits can earn you the respect of those you lead and help propel your business forward.  

Barry LaBov

LABOV Marketing Communications and Training

www.labov.com

What is collaboration?

I think collaboration is a misunderstood word. There are two definitions for the word. Here is the first:

1.  the action of working with someone to produce or create something.

The second definition is quite different:

2.  traitorous cooperation with an enemy.

How often do we avoid collaboration with a co-worker to do something great (definition #1) because we are concerned that we won’t get credit or don’t want someone else involved (definition #2)?

True collaboration has the goal of creating something great, period. To do that, we have to be vulnerable—to new ideas, to being proven wrong and to sharing the joy of that creation. The only “enemy” involved is us—our pride, selfishness or insecurity that stops us from doing it.

Barry LaBov

LABOV Marketing Communications and Training

www.labov.com