Recently, 230 Marine non-commissioned officers (NCOs) convened in Quantico, VA to discuss leadership. The conference was hosted by the Lejeune Leadership Institute of Marine Corps University (MCU). I am a Non-resident Fellow with MCU and am happy to share one of the key leanings from the conference with you.

NCOs are the corporals and sergeants who are the front line leaders in the war on terror. They are young. They are eager. They want to do more. LtCol Mike Parkyn, USMC, reported that they “enjoy challenge, welcome responsibility, and chafe at what they perceive to be arbitrary restraints on their initiative.” At first read you might think something along the lines of that should be expected of Marines. OK, I will give you that, Marines are special, but what about your own employees? Can’t they be special too?

Isn’t it possible that your employees feel the same way? Or could feel the same way? Of course, the essential element here is leadership. These Marines are well led and they are asking to be led even more effectively. I can guarantee you that your employees are asking to be led more effectively too. If people in one of the most effective fighting forces in the history of mankind want still better leadership then I think it is safe to say that people in most organizations are looking for better leadership.

If you even think your people are chafing at restraints on their initiative – remove the restraints.

If you don’t think your people may be chafing at restraints – ask them, just to be sure…….and then remove the restraints.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 at 3:01 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.