t opside V olume 79 , I s s u e 2 P a ge 3
From the Desk of the Commodore
7 Signs You Are An Auxiliary Leader And Don ’ t Even Know It by COMO Joseph Giannattasio
“ Leaders are made , not born . Each of us has the potential to be a great leader , though most of us require a little help developing that potential and honing the skills to remain proficient .”
- VADM ( Ret .) Sally Brice O ’ Hara
If you use me as an example , it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that in each and every one of us , there is a potential leader . The difference between ADM Sally Brice O ' Hara and yourself however , is the courage to take a step forward and the drive to reach a goal . Do you ever wonder about the Auxiliary appointed or elected office you should go for but pass because you don ’ t think you would be fit for it ? Think again , here are some indications that you are a great Auxiliary leader , and you don ’ t even know it yet .
Commodore Joseph Giannattasio District Commodore
U . S . Coast Guard Auxiliary 5th District-Northern Region
1 . You are Approachable .
If you find yourself giving advice to your fellow members and shipmates more than you are taking it , it means that they value your opinion and are the go-to person for help . Being approachable is an important quality for a leader to have because no one really wants to work with someone without an open door policy . Auxiliarists trust your judgment and confide in you : take pride in that .
2 . You Maintain a Smile , even when it is Difficult .
Maintaining your composure professionally is an excellent trait many leaders have and many organizations are looking for . It is important to keep calm and keep the situation under control . If you have found yourself nodding silently and listening to someone who is obviously upset and is screaming at you , then you have more patience than most .
3 . You have an Open Mind .
Keeping an open mind is an important trait when it comes to being an Auxiliary leader . If you have found yourself listening to someone tell you on how to do things more efficiently and take it as constructive criticism , I applaud you .
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