ARMY LEADER ATTRIBUTES 6 Army Leader Attributes Yehyun Park ✓ Solved

Army leader is an individual with strong intellectual capacity, presence, character, competencies, and serves as the role model to others. Army leadership encompasses the ability of an individual to take up the responsibility to lead, guide, and motivate other individuals or a team to accomplish the mission of the Army. Army leaders experience challenges in their work jurisdiction that usually demand a wide range of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other traits. The honor of serving a country as an Army leader requires passion, dedication, and undivided attention to develop the best plan that will yield positive results.

The Army doctrine reference publication (ADRP) 6-22 exudes the leadership principles and describes both the attribute and leadership competencies that govern Army leaders. The Army is an institution built on mutual trust and confidence. The leaders guide their teams to accomplish the mission successfully. Army leaders are to act decisively and command, within the purpose and intent set by the superiors to accomplish the mission. The Army is made of a team of individuals entrusted to perform certain tasks following the base command rule as ascertained in the hierarchy of power.

The intention of an Army leader should always focus on how to inspire and improve the organization for a better future. The Army leader is the most important aspect of Army leadership doctrine. In order to develop desired attributes associated with character, presence, and intellect, the Army leader must acknowledge the need for consistent self-awareness and commit to lifelong learning. Character is one of the core foundations for being an Army leader and comprises moral and ethical qualities above reproach. The moral and ethics create a distinction that empowers and motivates the leader to commit to doing the right thing no matter the circumstance or consequences.

Successful leadership depends entirely on traits such as values, empathy, discipline, and service ethos. Army values comprise personal values, standards, principles, and qualities nurtured from childhood with a desire to serve. The most influential Army values include loyalty, respect, duty, honor, integrity, personal courage, and self-service. Army leaders demonstrate a high level of empathy that helps them relate, share feelings, and understand each other. With a deeper understanding, the Army leader is well-equipped to anticipate the feelings of others and envision the impact of their actions or decisions on their teams.

Self-discipline, or the ability to control individual behavior by doing the right thing at all times, falls under character. Self-discipline drives the Army leader to maintain a mindset geared toward sustained and systematic actions that enable the organization to perform military functions smoothly. Warrior and service ethos refer to the traits that enable the leader to conform to professional requirements. The ethos reflects a soldier's commitment to serve fellow soldiers, unit, mission, and, more so, the nation. A nurtured Army leader conducts him/herself with the same attitude, beliefs, and commitment in and out of duty.

The warrior ethos is typically developed and sustained through dedication, discipline, pride in heritage, and adherence to Army values. Presence is an integral aspect of all military personnel. Army leaders must make their presence known by guiding their team to success. Physical appearance, actions, and communication should create an impression of a passionate leader who demonstrates care for others and inspires them through hardship and in times of danger.

Army leaders integrate with subordinate staff to gain firsthand experience of real situations in the field. The attribute of presence helps the leader to understand others' expectations when serving the organization and nation. Presence enables the leader to develop a deeper understanding of fitness, confidence, professionalism, military bearing, and resilience in duty. The holistic presence lays emphasis on physical and psychological fitness in all situations. An Army leader should always aim to look and act professionally and use their skills in a manner that promotes Army values.

Fitness for mission and demonstrating a high level of confidence in the team is crucial in leadership. Self-confidence is essential, especially in areas of combat, positively impacting the team's morale and leading to victory. Army leaders are resilient, recovering quickly from setbacks, adversity, stress, and shock, thereby fostering team morale and maintaining the mission and focus of the organization. Intellect is another core attribute of an Army leader, as they demonstrate a high faculty of reasoning and objectivity while undertaking their professional duties and responsibilities.

The mental tendencies that shape an Army leader include mental agility, innovation, sound judgment, expertise, and interpersonal tact. Army leaders should have a flexible mind to anticipate and cope with changing or uncertain situations. Since the mission is paramount, innovativeness assists the Army leader in introducing new approaches whenever opportunities arise to navigate problems and find possible solutions. Each mission is unique and requires different approaches and thus necessitates sound judgment upon assessing situations. All conclusions must be rational and reliable.

Army leaders possess a wealth of experiences, including special knowledge and skills developed from extensive training and education. Interpersonal tact allows the Army leader to interact effectively with peers. Recognition of character, motives, and reactions—of oneself and others—helps integrate effectively with each other. An Army leader should demonstrate self-control, recognize diversity, and strike a balance where necessary while remaining steady when discharging their mandates.

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Leadership is essential in all organizations, but it takes on a unique form within the military context. Army leaders embody attributes that not only enhance their effectiveness but also maintain the integrity and mission of the military. The Army leader is shaped by character, presence, and intellect, three pillars that are not merely idealistic but practical attributes that drive operations and influence personnel.

Character, as noted in Army Leadership (ADRP 6-22), serves as the ethical foundation for leadership. Leaders are expected to uphold moral values, and they must remain grounded regardless of the circumstances. With the pressures of military operations, personal integrity often serves as the compass for decision-making. Loyalty and respect are embedded in military culture, and the leaders exemplifying these values help foster an environment of trust necessary for mission success. Furthermore, Army leaders must exhibit empathy, which allows them to forge connections with their subordinates and anticipate the needs and feelings of others (United States Department of the Army, 2012).

Presence, the second attribute, extends beyond physical existence among troops. It encompasses the demeanor and authority projected by leaders. The Army leader's presence instills confidence and a sense of security within their team. It is exhibited by maintaining military bearing and demonstrating effective communication and interpersonal skills. Leaders must manage their emotional presence as well, ensuring that they inspire rather than intimidate. The Army doctrine emphasizes the importance of presence, stating, "leaders must influence their teams through their engagement, visibility, and example" (ADRP 6-22), which further underscores its critical nature in creating a productive learning environment.

Intellect, the third cornerstone of Army leadership, allows leaders to think critically and innovate. Military operations often face unpredicted challenges where strategic foresight is essential. Army leaders are encouraged to possess mental agility, enabling them to analyze situations rapidly and make sound decisions based on thorough evaluations. This necessitates ongoing education and openness to new ideas. The combination of intellect with innovative thinking fosters adaptive leaders capable of navigating complex challenges and achieving mission objectives (Department of the Army, 2012).

In practice, the integration of these attributes manifests in various scenarios. During missions, an Army leader’s commitment to character reflects in the ethical decisions they inspire their troops to make, fostering a culture of accountability and morale. When encountering adversity, it’s the presence of a resilient leader that rallies the team together, sustaining morale and ensuring a cohesive operational environment. Moreover, the intellect of a leader is highlighted when formulating strategies that navigate obstacles effectively, assisting units to achieve operational success.

Ultimately, the efficacy of leadership in the Army relies on these attributes being intertwined and consistently demonstrated. The development of these traits is a lifelong journey that requires commitment to self-improvement and a focus on forging strong relationships with subordinates. Army leaders must understand that their character, presence, and intellect intricately shape their ability to lead effectively. Thus, an investment in personal growth not only benefits individual leaders but also cultivates a stronger military organization capable of fulfilling its mission.

References

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