Introduction

In my journey from college ROTC to becoming a Second Lieutenant at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, I led laboratory operations at age 20. My military career spanned 20 years, culminating at the Pentagon. Now I'm sharing my 12 leadership principles based on my experiences.

1 - Establish Your Priorities

Understanding priorities is crucial to achieving your goals. By setting priorities, you ensure your efforts and resources are directed toward what truly matters. In Lesson One, we will discuss essential tools and strategies to effectively prioritize your goals.

2 - Develop Your Inner Circle

Your inner circle has a profound impact on the trajectory of your career. The right people can provide you with diverse perspectives, teach you new ways of thinking and doing things, and inspire you to reach higher levels of achievement. In this lesson, we explore key points on how you can develop and leverage your inner circle to elevate your career.

3 - Create a Personal Growth Plan

A well-defined vision statement is the foundation of your personal growth plan. It serves as your North Star, guiding your efforts and keeping you focused on your ultimate goals. Your mission statement, which outlines your current situation, is equally important. This dual approach helps you manage your present circumstances and future aspirations, putting you in control of your destiny. In this lesson, we will discuss the importance of a vision and mission statement and other keys for developing your personal growth plan.

4 - Maintain a Growth Mindset

Maintaining a growth mindset is paramount in personal and professional development. A growth mindset, positive thinking, and a winning attitude are the foundation for resilience and progress. During this lesson, we will cultivate and maintain a growth mindset to set the stage for continuous personal and professional development.

5 - Dress For Success

The challenge when working in an organization where you don’t wear your rank on your shoulder is to figure out how to dress and look like a leader. Zig Ziglar once said, “You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.” This lesson explores how your wardrobe can help you with projecting leadership.

6 - Become an Influencer

Leadership and influence are intrinsically linked; you must also be an influencer to be a leader. This concept isn’t a new phenomenon. In the fifth century BC, philosopher and military strategist Sun Tzu posited that leaders must treat people right to get results. In this lesson, we'll explore some key points to becoming an effective influencer and driving your vision forward.

7 - Manage Your Brand

Building a robust personal brand can be a strategic tool for enhancing your career trajectory. It’s essential to understand that your brand is about who you are intrinsically, not merely about adopting the external trappings of success. In this lesson, we'll discuss some essential tips for managing and strengthening your brand.

8 - Strive for IDEA

The emphasis on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) is paramount in today’s rapidly evolving organizational landscape. This isn’t just a fleeting trend but a fundamental shift in how we approach leadership, workforce engagement, and community building. In this lesson, we will discuss embracing the IDEA movement as an organizational directive and a fundamental aspect of your leadership philosophy.

9 - Communicate with Power

Communication is the cornerstone of human achievement. It has allowed us to build lasting relationships, create monumental structures, and solve complex problems. Yet, communication is a double-edged sword; when handled poorly, it can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. This lesson will explore some key points to help you become a confident, powerful communicator.

10 - Transfer Your Vision

Transferring your vision to others is the bedrock of effective leadership. It involves a cascade of actions, from crafting the vision to making it a shared goal among your team. This lesson will delve into the key aspects of developing a concrete vision, connecting emotionally with stakeholders, communicating the underlying purpose, leading by example, gaining stakeholder buy-in, and fostering inclusivity.

11 - Manage Stakeholder Expectations

One critical responsibility in leadership and management is managing stakeholder expectations. A practical approach requires systematic steps to ensure clarity, engagement, and mutual understanding. This lesson will examine six strategies you can use to excel in managing stakeholder expectations.

12 - Lead with Confidence

Confidence is the bedrock of effective leadership. Without it, others will struggle to place their trust in you. The truth is, those you lead often take their cues from your demeanor and actions. If you lack confidence in yourself, it becomes challenging for your team to have confidence in you and, by extension, in the mission you are guiding them toward. In this video, we'll address gender and leadership styles, the nature of confidence, and building confidence.

Conclusion