MAGAZINE
SPRING 2020
I take great comfort in the fact that French officers and NCOs are more than mere managers . We are taught to command by encompassing management , leadership , charisma , orders , discipline , and loyalty
As young soldier I listened to the instructors and seasoned leaders in our organizations . From these experiences I developed an admiration , and a level of courage , knowing I could follow these leaders anywhere , anytime , and into harms way if necessary . This is what excellent leaders , those who present the full range of leadership requirements – the six pillars – inspire in subordinates .
During my career , I have been able to emulate these leadership qualities thanks to the trust and the responsibilities my own leaders gave me . This is the best way , I firmly believe , NCOs and officers can groom those young soldiers who desire to become the best future leaders . In the French Army , the notion of leadership is often associated with with charisma and fairness . In civilian management , leadership tends to be a more of a generic term for the person in charge of managing groups at various levels . And this this isn ’ t wrong , it ’ s just different . Nevertheless , I take great comfort in the fact that French officers and NCOs are more than mere managers . We are taught to command by encompassing management , leadership , charisma , orders , discipline , and loyalty . LC
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