Some years ago, a close friend and West Point classmate asked me for some hip-pocket leadership training advice for his daughter. She was a West Point cadet at that time and leading new cadets through their entry level training. For those unfamiliar with the term, “hip-pocket training” is the military term for impromptu training leaders provide when they are waiting for other events to transpire (waiting on the trucks, downtime between training iterations, etc.). I thought about the request for a bit and called him back with my leadership thought that would promote discussion and impart some leadership nugget they could keep throughout their careers. It was an adage I had heard somewhere along the way, and I did not know the original source. It was simply, “Be the leader you want to be led by.” Laconic, maybe even stoic; a leader version of “treat others the way you would like to be treated.” I was pretty happy with that advice, and I tried to live it in the leadership positions I held as a first line supervisor, manager, and law enforcement executive over the years.
George, You are always spot on with your observations and teachings. I very much appreciated having you involved with the CATTEAM as they grew into their military careers and now families. Having you as a Leadership “Northstar” is invaluable!
Hip-Pocket Leadership
Nice piece George as always!
George, You are always spot on with your observations and teachings. I very much appreciated having you involved with the CATTEAM as they grew into their military careers and now families. Having you as a Leadership “Northstar” is invaluable!