United States Army Leadership Doctrine for the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

What does it take to foster and develop Army leaders of character, competence, and high standards who can achieve excellence every day? These leaders must influence their soldiers in a positive manner, operate to successfully accomplish the mission, and improve both their subordinates and the organization. In this chapter, leadership is defined as influencing people —by providing purpose,direction, and motivation—while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization. Leaders operate to achieve the short–term goals of accomplishing missions: from personnel administration and vehicle maintenance to combat victory. In addition, leaders are responsible for focusing beyond the immediate to ensure that they leave the people and the unit better than they found them.