From the Desk of Chief Ogden | Seeds of Leadership | By Chief David A. Ogden
Great Leaders Know How to Follow
A crucial way to assess someone’s readiness for leadership is to look at how they’ve followed in the past.
To lead well, a person must first know how to follow well, and often, it really is that simple. Leadership begins with the humility and discipline to receive direction, carry out instructions with excellence, and support the mission before trying to lead it.
We’ve all encountered individuals who, when given direction, spend more energy looking for shortcuts, finding loopholes, or resisting the task altogether. That approach doesn’t produce great leaders — it creates friction and erodes trust.
Great leaders don’t just give direction; they embody a commitment to following and executing with integrity. This type of leadership fosters a culture of accountability and excellence within any team.
Regards,
“Outdo one another with Honor.”
- David A. Ogden
