6. INITIATIVE. Think ahead. Stay mentally alert and physically awake. Look around. If you see a job that needs to be done, don't wait to be told. If the office is full of newspares and trash, organize a detail and get the place squared away. Don't wait for others to come around to tell you. If you spot a fire, get some effective supression on it. By the time someone else finds it it may be too late. Your situation and the lot of others can always be improved. Do what you can. Use the means at hand. Think ahead, and you'll stay ahead!
7. TACT. The right thing at the right time, that's what's meant by tact. It embraces courtesy, but it goes much further. It's the Golden Rule; consideration for others, be they senior or subordinate. Courtesy is more than saluting and saying, "Sir". It doesn't mean you meekly "ask" your team to do a job either. You can give orders in a courteous manner which, because it is courteous, leaves no doubt that you expect to be obeyed. The tactful leader is fair, firm and friendly. You always respect another's property. Learn to respect feelings as well. If an individual needs "reading off", then do it --- but in private. Don't make a spectacle of them and yourself by doing it in public. On the other hand, when thay do a good job, let their friends hear about it. They will be a bigger person in their eyes and you will too.
There are times, particularly in tough going, when a severe "dressing down" of one person or a group may be required. Even so, this is tactful, for it the right thing at the right time. In dealing with seniors, the Golden Rule again applies. Approach them in the manner you'd want to be approached were you in their position with their responsibilities. Use tact with juniors, but remember, a leader coddles nobody. Use tact with your seniors, but remember, nobody like an "ear banger".
When you join a new group, just keep quiet and watch for a while. Don't noise it around that your old group was abetter one just because it happened to do things differently. Make a few mwntal notes when you find something that is wrong. When you'vegot your feet on the ground, then make those changes that you have the authority to make. You might be surprised at how little really needs changing. Besides, you'll have learned another way of getting the job done.
8. JUSTICE. People rate a square shooting leader. Be one. Don't play favorites. Spread the liberty and the work around equally. Keep anger and emotions out of your decisions. Get rid of any narrow views which you may have about a particular race, creed, or county. Judge individuals by what kind of person they are, nothing else.
Don't let your team be overlooked at meals. If you have extra, divide it equally. Give everyone a chance to prove themselves. Help those who fall short of your standards, but keep your standards high.
9. ENTHUSIASM. It's a fact that the more you know about something, the greater your interest and enthusiasm. Show it. Others will follow your lead. Enthusiasm is more contagious than the measels. Set a goal for your team, then put out all you've got in the achievement of that goal. This is particularly applicable in training. Peole are at their best in the field. After all, they have joined the team to learn how to accomplish things. They'll learn, all right, but only when their instructor is enthused about what is being taught and worked on. Show knowledge and enthusiasm about a subject and your team will want that same knowledge. Show your dislikes and gripe about what's going on and you'll still be leading -- but in the wrong direction. The choice is yours. Make the right one.
Don't get stale. "Take your pack off, " can sometimes be good advice. Do it once in awhile. Then come back strong with something new. When you find yourself forced to run problems over the same old terrain, run them from the other direction.
10. BEARING. Remember clothes make the man. Be sharp. You don't need trinkets. Wear what you have earned. Wear it with pride.
That's part of what is meant by bearing. the rest of it is how you conduct yourself, in or out of the team, ashore or on board, verbally and emotionally. Learn control of your voice and gestures. A calm voice and a steady hand are confidence builders when it gets rough. Don't ever show your concern over a dangerous situation, even if you feel it.
Speak plainly and simple. You're more interested in being understood than in showing off your vocabulary.If you ever rant and rave, losing control of your tongue and your emotions, you'll also lose control of your team. Swearing at subordinates is unfair. They can't swear back. It's also stupid, since you admit lack of ability to express displeasure in any other way. Don't lose your temper. Master yourself before you try to master others. There may be one exception to this rule. The time might come, in a rough situation, when tough talk, a few oaths, and the right amount of anger is all that will pull your team together. Even Christ got mad when he drove the money changers from the temple. But save your display of temper until it is absolutly needed. Otherwise it won't pay off, because you'll already have shot your bolt.
Sarcasm seldom gets results. Wisecrack to your team--they've been around--they'll wisecrack back. Make a joke out od giving orders, and they'll think you don't mean what you say. This doesn't mean to avoid jokin at all times. A good jike, at the right time, is like good medicine, especially if the chips are down. As a matter of fact, it is often the team's way of expressing sympathy and understanding without gettin sticky about it. Many a wounded person has been sent to the hospital with a smile and a remark about, "What some people won't do to get out of work!" Dignity, without being unapproachable -- that's what bearing is. Work at it.