Leadership fundamentals are crucial for the smooth operation and success of any organization, whether it’s a Fortune 500 company or a local law enforcement agency. Given that many officers have a background in military service, there’s a natural overlap in the principles and values that guide them. I often find myself drawn to biographies of military leaders, individuals whose experiences offer invaluable lessons in leadership. One such leader is Gen. Jim Mattis.
Mattis, known for his insightful perspectives, famously said, “Leaders are readers,” a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. In his book, Call Sign Chaos, Mattis distills the leadership fundamentals that shaped his distinguished career. These principles, while seemingly simple, are often overlooked in the day-to-day grind. I want to share these with you, drawing directly from Gen. Mattis’s wisdom:
My early years with my Marines taught me leadership fundamentals, summed up in the three Cs. The first is competence. Be brilliant in the basics. Don’t dabble in your job; you master it. That applies at every level as you advance. Analyze yourself. Identify weaknesses and improve yourself. If you’re not running three miles in eighteen minutes, work out more; if you’re not a good listener, discipline yourself; if you’re not swift at calling in artillery fire, rehearse. Your troops are counting on you. Of course you’ll screw up sometimes; don’t dwell on that. The last perfect man on earth died on a cross long ago—just be honest and move on, smarter for what your mistake taught you.
The Corps exists to win battles. That is inseparable from making Marines who stand for its values in tough times. … Learning from others’ mistakes is far smarter than putting your own lads in body bags. Battles, conventional or irregular, turn on the basics of gaining fire superiority and maneuvering against the enemy. Fire and maneuver—block and tackle—decide battle. The Corps exists to win battles. That is inseparable from making Marines who stand for its values in tough times. Anything that doesn’t contribute to winning battles or winning Marines is of secondary importance. Regrettably, too many of the men I’ve seen killed or wounded failed to perform the basics. War is fraught with random dangers and careless missteps. Clear orders and relentless rehearsals based on intelligence and repetitive training build muscle—not once or twice, but hundreds of times. Read history, but study a few battles in depth. Learning from others’ mistakes is far smarter than putting your own lads in body bags. A good map-reading lieutenant is worthless if he can’t do pull-ups. Physical strength, endurance, calling in fire, map reading, verbal clarity, tactical cunning, use of micro-terrain—all are necessary. You must master and integrate them to gain the confidence of your troops. A good map-reading lieutenant is worthless if he can’t do pull-ups.
Second, caring. To quote Teddy Roosevelt, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” In a family, you watch out for your younger brother. You’re interested in him—how he grows, how he learns, who he wants to be. When your Marines know you care about them, then you can speak bluntly when they disappoint you. They are young, but they did volunteer for the Marines, so don’t patronize them. They know they’re not is a life insurance company. Be honest in your criticism, but blow away the bad behavior while leaving their manhood intact. You are not their friend. You are their coach and commander, rewarding the qualities essential to battlefield victory. Show no favoritism. Value initiative and aggressiveness above all. It’s easier to pull the reins back than to push a timid soul forward. Consistently maintain a social and personal distance, remembering that there is a line you must not cross. But you should come as close to that line as possible—without surrendering one ounce of your authority. You are not their friend. You are their coach and commander, rewarding the qualities essential to battlefield victory. You get to know them as individuals—what makes them tick and what their specific goals are. One is striving to make corporal, another needs a letter of recommendation for college, another is determined to break eighteen minutes for three miles. A Marine knows when you are invested in his character, his dreams, and his development. Men like that won’t quit on you. As an officer, you need to win only one battle—for the hearts of your troops. Win their hearts and they will win the fights.
Third, conviction. This is harder and deeper than physical courage. Your peers are the first to know what you will stand for and, more important, what you won’t stand for. Your troops catch on fast. State your flat-ass rules and stick to them. They shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. At the same time, leaven your professional passion with personal humility and compassion for your troops. Remember: As an officer, you need to win only one battle—for the hearts of your troops. Win their hearts and they will win the fights.
Competence, caring, and conviction combine to form a fundamental element—shaping the fighting spirit of your troops. Leadership means reaching the souls of your troops, instilling a sense of commitment and purpose in the face of challenges so severe that they cannot be put into words.
— Gen. Jim Mattis (ret.)
Source: Jim Mattis and Bing West, Call Sign Chaos, (Random House, 2019), 11-13
These three “Cs” – Competence, Caring, and Conviction – provide a solid foundation for effective leadership. Competence ensures that leaders are capable and skilled in their roles. Caring fosters a sense of trust and loyalty among team members. Conviction provides the moral compass and unwavering resolve necessary to navigate difficult situations. By embracing these principles, leaders can create a positive and productive environment where individuals are empowered to achieve their full potential. These principles are applicable not only to military leadership, but also to police leadership, corporate leadership, and any other leadership role.
Call Sign Chaos is available for purchase online and in bookstores.