THE SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR COMMAND

THE SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR COMMAND CONTROL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

INTRODUCTION…. . • Leaders are usually people who have been selected for the qualities they possess and for their ability to bring the best out in people. • Personal qualities are the natural characteristics of a person. These are different from personal skills, which are things that have to be learnt and developed, e. g. communication skills.

BORN TO BE A LEADER? ? ? Question: Do you think people are born with natural leadership skills or do we all have the potential to develop our leadership skills throughout life? Question: How can you develop leadership skills? Question: Do you admire any leaders?

Col H Jones was killed in the Falklands in 1982. His son is now a Brigadier. The family come from a long line of military leadership. Does this mean that the command control qualities are inherited or something else?

QUALITIES NEEDED BY A COMMANDER • Role model – a role model is someone who sets a good example for others to follow. A good leader is one who leads by example and sets a standard that others will wish to emulate (copy). • Courage – a quality that demonstrates a lack of fear, even in the face of great adversity (difficulty) or danger. • Tenacity – the ability to persevere to see a job through to completion. • Confidence – boldness when decisions need to be made and actions need to be taken. • Integrity – honesty and high moral standards. • Determination – a real commitment to carry out whatever tasks are required.

QUALITIES NEEDED BY A COMMANDER • Decisiveness – the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively and to stand by these decisions. • Mental agility – the ability to think quickly, to assess a problem and to provide a solution. • The ability to keep calm – essential in conflict or emergency situations. • Strength of character – this is a quality which may be difficult to define but which is required by commanders, who are often faced with difficult or dangerous situations and who have to make decisions which could put the lives of others in danger. • Sense of humour – this can help to lift team morale when necessary. • Objectivity – commanders need to be objective in order to be able to make decisions.

Thinking point: Why is a sense of humour one of the key qualities instructors look for in for the Royal Marine Commando’s?

Even in adversity a “Booty” will be expected to have a “laugh”

SUMMARY