What Do You Live By?
As in, what are your principles? What are the Ten Commandments that rule your life? What’s the animating force behind why you do things the way you do them?
What’s your leadership philosophy? What do you live and lead by?
Each person must, as the retired Marine general and former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has said, “Know what you will stand for and, more important, what you won’t stand for.” Mattis advises leaders to “state your flat-ass rules and stick to them. They shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.”
It is easier to fall for anything than to stand for something…
Leadership Philosophy
The best leaders improve people, so you should do your best to inspire others to level up and improve their game. They lead by example, so you should ensure your actions match your words. They lead up and down the chain of command, so you should watch for growing leaders and encourage them, giving them opportunities to test the waters. The best leaders communicate well, so that everyone knows the ‘Commander’s Intent' down to the lowest common denominator. Clear is kind. The best leaders empower people to make decisions (within a framework).
You prefer some freedom, so you give a lot freedom to those you're leading. You expect them to set realistic targets and do everything in their power to meet those.
Your Principles
Commitment
Jump in feet first, give it your best shot, and stick with it thick or thin. Build a “ride or die” crew. Once committed to a goal, keep your eyes on the prize without getting distracted.
Self-Discipline
Discipline is destiny. Be strict with yourself, but lenient with others. Get after it, seize the day, and rinse your cottage cheese. Keep your thoughts and emotions in check. Thoughts become words, words become deeds, deeds become habits, habits become character, and character is fate. Discipline = freedom.
Stoicism
This is kind of cheating since there are 4 virtues in stoicism. Courage, Wisdom, Temperance and Justice. Courage to lead with humility and vulnerability. Courage to take risks and make big bets. Courage to put yourself out there and stick out your neck. Wisdom to judge what is before you with clarity, unbiased toward the beautiful lie that we wish were true. Wisdom to be curious and learn the truth. Wisdom to challenge assumptions (especially your own). Justice to practice honesty, never harm yourself by lowering your opinion of yourself, and giving others the benefit of the doubt. Justice by never meting out a punishment which is not for the benefit of the guilty. Never relinquishing control of your words or actions over to anger.
Ten Commandments
- Live and let live.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated. After that, treat others the way they deserve to be treated.
- Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
- Keep calm and maintain composure. Breathe, look around, make a call.
- Plan for the worst, but hope for the best.
- Memento mori (keep your ego in check).
- Give credit where credit is due.
- Be a good steward of the resources entrusted to you.
- Never attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence or ignorance.
- Be a man.
Why Do I Do Things This Way?
Character is fate. This should be self-evident and obvious. You will do your best since you want the good life for your family.
Rules I Follow - Win, Lose, or Draw
Play fair. Fight dirty.
Be honest with yourself.
Be honorable.
