Page 106 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

fJ Qualities of a Leader

No two leaders are exactly alike. They do not possess the same initiative to learn about tasks and billets demanding increased lev-
!miIS; neither do they accomplish their goals in the S<lme ways. All els of responsibility. Positive recommendations, advancements, and
grroH leaders, however, have certain characteristics and nbilities. promotions are likely to result ti'om such performance of duty.
Not evcry leader will possess every quality disclIssed here, but all A young person showing ambition on the job in a ci\'ilian firm
will have many of them. It stands to reason that it is important for is considered a valuabJe asset; such a person might e\'entually be
a leader with less natural ability to work on those qualities needed considered for a management role. I\,lere ambition is not enough
to become morc cfTectivt'. in the militaql service, however. All in the militar), are expected to
ploee dut), obO\'e selt: All must do their dut), to the best of their abil-
ity at all times-not because of the personnl gnin that might occur,
Moral Responsibility but because that is the best way to accomplish the mission. The unit
A high sense of moral responsibility is one of the most important might I~lil in its mission if some individuals ':liJ to do their part.
leadership chnracteristics. AJI truly great leaders have had personal
codes of conduct that would not permit them to lise their abili-
ties and positions to take unfair advantage of their fellow citizens
or subordinates.
Most of us understand the written and unwritten Jaws that
guide OU]' actions and know that appropriate punishments will
likely result if we break them. It is more difficult, however, to define
mOrilllaws, since Illost of these cannot be legally enforced. Each
person must establish these laws for himself or herself. Depending
upon the person's character, the sense of moral responsibility may
be extensive or almost nonexistent. The only enforcer is the indi-
vidual's own conscience.

Loyalty
LO),;'llty means f..1ithful and enthusiastic devotion to one's cOllnt!')',
organization, and associates. In the military this must be broad-
ened to include one's superiors and subordinates. Ever)'one IllUSt
eom the right to loyalt)"
Lo)'alt)' is a two-way street. Subordinates arc particularly sen-
sitive about loyalty extending downward to them and arc quick to
notice when it is absent. The loyalty of a senior toward his or her
personnel has a great effect on the morale within the organization,
and this may translate into that extra effort that is so often neces-
sary to accomplish a mission.

Devotion to Duty
Devotion to duty ma)' be defined os loyalt)' to the position or job
Master Chief Petty Officer of the fleet West has demonstrated the
one holds. In general, devotion to duty is shown by someone who best qualities of naval leadership throughout his service career. Note
not only exerts maximulll ettort on the present job, but also takes the new Navy working uniform he is wearing. (Jenni fer Villalovos)

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