LEADERSHIP TRAITS
1. BEARING. Bearing is general appearance, carriage, deportment and conduct. This is the ability to look, act, and speak like a leader. It is an essential element in a leader's effectiveness and should be cultivated by maintaining impeccable personal appearance, avoiding profane or vulgar language, keeping your word, holding your temper, speaking clearly and walking erect.
2. COURAGE. Courage is that which enables recognition and fear of danger or criticism, while still allowing calm and firm action. It exists in a moral, as well as physical sense. Moral courage means knowing what is right and standing up for it in the face of popular disfavor. When a leader is wrong, he accepts the blame.
3. DECISIVENESS. The leader should be able to make decisions promptly and to state them in a clear, forceful manner. The wise leader gets all the facts, weighs one against the other, then calmly and quickly arrives at the best decision. Decisiveness is largely a matter of practice and experience growing out of self-confidence and competence. The leader keeps in mind that many solid ideas originate at a subordinate level. Thus, opinions are solicited from subordinates when appropriate.
4. DEPENDABILITY. Dependability is the certainty of proper performance of duty. It is a quality that permits a senior to assign a task with the understanding that it will be accomplished with minimum supervision and maximum use of initiative. It includes the willing and voluntary support of the policies and orders of the chain of command, but does not mean blind obedience. Commanders should listen to suggestions from their subordinates, but once the final decision has been made, subordinates must give it their best effort in an attempt to achieve the highest standards of performance while subordinating personal interest to military requirements.
5. ENDURANCE. Endurance is akin to courage. It is the mental and physical stamina which is measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship. Since subordinates may view a lack of endurance in a combat situation as cowardice, the leader must display an acceptable, if not superior, level of endurance. Endurance and stamina should be developed by regular participation in strenuous physical and mental activities.
6. ENTHUSIASM. Enthusiasm is the display of sincere interest and zeal in the performance of duties. Displaying interest and optimism in performing a task greatly enhances the likelihood that the task will be successfully accomplished. Enthusiastic leaders are optimistic, cheerful, willing to accept the challenges of their profession, and determined to do the best job possible. Enthusiasm is contagious. Nothing will develop it more than the success of a unit or an individual.
7. INITIATIVE. Initiative, or taking action in the absence of orders, is required of leaders. Leaders who meet new and unexpected situations with prompt action instill respect and trust in their troops. Closely associated with initiative is resourcefulness - the ability to deal with a situation in the absence of normal resources or methods. To aid in the development of initiative, a leader must stay alert, recognize the task that needs to be done, and then accomplish it with caution, judgment, and discretion.
8. INTEGRITY. The uprightness and soundness of moral principles and the qualities of truthfulness and honesty comprise integrity. An upright leader places honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else. Nothing less than complete honesty in all dealings with superiors, subordinates, and peers is acceptable.
9. JUDGMENT. Judgment is the ability to weigh facts and circumstances logically in order to make decisions. Anticipation of situations, avoidance of the "easy" decision, and the application of common sense are characteristic. Technical knowledge frequently plays an important role, as well. The leader who makes sound decisions either has personal knowledge essential to solving a particular problem or has the presence of mind to confer with experts.
10. JUSTICE. The just leader gives rewards and punishments according to the merits of the case in question. Impartiality is exercised in all judgment situations, and prejudice of any kind is avoided. Because each decision is a test of fairness which is observed by subordinates and superiors alike, the leader must be fair, consistent and prompt. Individual consideration should be given in each case.
11. KNOWLEDGE. Knowledge is the range of one's information, including professional knowledge. Leaders should develop a program of learning which will keep them abreast of current developments in their military specialty, command policies, and world affairs. A leader should also know and understand each one of his subordinates. Field manuals, training directives, magazines, and newspapers should be used in conjunction with serious discussions, research, and experience in broadening the leader's knowledge.
12. LOYALTY. Loyalty is the quality of faithfulness to country, the Corps, seniors, subordinates, and peers which should be reflected in every action. A leader's good reputation will be widespread when it is based upon actions taken to protect subordinates from abuse. Good leaders do not allow personal opinion to interfere with the mission, nor do they give the impression of disagreement with orders when relaying them to subordinates.
13. TACT. Tact is the ability to deal with others in a manner that will maintain good relations and avoid offense. During conditions of stress, the use of tact becomes challenging when delivering criticism to a subordinate. The inexperienced leader sometimes feels that politeness in the service implies softness. On the contrary, a calm, courteous, and firm approach usually will bring a cooperative response without unnecessary unpleasantness. Consistently treating superiors, subordinates, and peers with respect and courtesy regardless of conditions or true feelings is a sign of maturity required of leaders.
14. UNSELFISHNESS. Unselfishness is the avoidance of providing for one's personal comfort and advancement at the expense of others. The comfort, pleasure, and recreation of subordinates should be placed above those of the leader. Looking out for the needs of subordinates is the essence of leadership. However, keep in mind that accomplishment of the mission has priority. True leaders give themselves lowest priority and share the dangers and hardships with their Marines and Sailors.
***TAKEN FROM: THE MARINE CORPS LEADERSHIP SYSTEM***