Ten Commandments of Leadership
By Alex J. Pollock, 12/24/87
Drama - Giving emotional meaning to the organization and to the efforts and sacrifices of the individual. Appearing a leader so others will believe they should follow. Providing an element of mystery.
Physical presence - Being seen and felt by the ranks as at the head.
Empathy with the ranks - Their problems, sacrifices, risks, fears, hopes.
Detachment - Necessary to think above and beyond the traditions, commitments and beliefs of the organization and to make decisions causing suffering (and in the military, death).
Courage - Sharing the risk. Going on in spite of fear and uncertainty.
Imposing sanctions - Required for coordination of large groups.
Knowledge – Both general knowledge and detailed information on the problems at hand. Historical perspective required.
Decision - Setting the right course at the right time with the appropriate level of abstraction or detail. Taking on the burden of turning actual uncertainty into psychological certainty, the ground of common action.
The right inner circle - Those who will tell the truth, are not awed by your drama, and fill in your gaps and mistakes.
Creation of a personal role - A necessary part of drama. The role must both separate the leader and link him to the ranks through its appeal. Possible components: flamboyance, calm, brilliance, drive, speed, good cheer, human touch, wisdom, determination, idiosyncrasies, heroics, visions.
Adapted from John Keegan, The Mask of Command.