Page 107 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

112 LEADERSHIP

Professional Knowledge Courage
The person who knows the job thoroughly is t~lr better qualified It would be difficult to imagine a true leader who did not possess
to lead than one who does not. Mere schoolbook knowledge is courage. Courage is the quality that enables us to accept our respon-
not sufficient; experience is also essential. The new leader, there- sibilities and to carry them out regardless of the consequences. A
tore, must not hesitate to call upon more experienced individuals courageous person can meet dangers and difficulties with firmness.
to assist when appropriate. A courageous persall is not necessarily fearless, but has learned to
The person being relieved by a new leader normally pro- conquer inner tears in order to concentrate on the tasks at hand.
vides information concerning the duties .md difficulties of the Courage is a quality of the mind and may be developed and strength-
job and the abilities and personalities of the assigned personnel. ened with usc. Each time i\ person overcomes an obstacle-whether it
Subordinates will be eager to help, if their new leader shows inter- is a tough examination, or a sports opponent, or peer pressure--the
est in gaining from their experiences. It pays to be willing to listen courage of that individual will be strengthened.
to advice and suggestions, for most people will lose the desire to \'Ve should be careful to add, however, that continuous success
help if their leader shows lack of interest or caring. with every problem, while encouraging and satisfying at the time,
may not necessarily prepare an individual for the disappointment
of failure. Courage grows when a person learns to strive again lor
Self-Conf idence
success after an initial setback.
Self-confidence is aile of the most important qualities ofleadership.
As a leader's knowledge grows, self-confidence should also grow.
Moral Courage
In fact. knowledge is meaningless without confidence and ability.
Past accomplishments ilnd educational degrees by themselves will Moral courage means a show of firmness in difficult situations
not sufllce; proven ability on the job is the Illost basic requirement. where the danger of death or injury is not an immediate con-
Arrogance on the part of an untried, inexperienced junior officer cern. It is a form of courage less glamorous than physical cour-
or new leading petty officer will result in the loss of subordinates' age-risking one's lite to save another, being fearless in the face of
respect, which will make the leader's job much more difficult. enemy fire, or braving the unknown dangers of the deep seas or
outer space. Situations requiring moral courage, however, occur
f~lI' more often than the more glamorous ones.
Init iative and Ingenuity
The pressures of our daily lives can be great at times, and this
The military services have so many regulations, instructions, and is where moral courage comes in. It may be easier to allow the
policies that a new leader might believe there is little room for per- wrong thing to be done and to say nothing, or to observe incor-
sonal initiative and ingenuity in the service today-but this simply rect procedures or damaged equipment and let it go unreported.
is not so. Actually, with new ships, new equipment. new weapons Sometimes it is hard to disagree with a senior-or worse, to agree
systems, and new concepts of warfare, the demand tor officers and with a senior when you arc certain that he or she is wrong. Fear
pett), officers with these qualities is greater now than e\'er before. of .1Ilger from seniors, fear of ridicule b)1 peers, and lack of confi-
All of these new developments require leaders with the imagina- dence due to immaturity or ignorance are some of the pressures
tion, skills, and daring to fl11d the best ways to use new systems and that make the exercise of moml courage difficult.
new ideas. 1\'1oral courage is necessary to ensure that seniors get the infor-
Tn the NjROrC as in the Navy, few days will pass without some mation they need to make good decisions--even if such informa-
opportunity to exercise initiative and ingenuity. The new leader tion upsets them. A person needs moral courage to bring forth Ilew
must take advantage of small, everyday opportunities in order ideas for improvement, especially if those ideas go against prece-
to gain the self-confidence necessary to handle bigger challenges dent or well-laid plans. The person who says nothing, or agrees with
when they arise. seniors and then criticizes them behind their backs, loses both the
Before tackling any problem, though, it is necessary to have respect of juniors and the trust of the seniors. On the other hand,
solid background knowledge of that problem. You can be sure the leader who shows respect lor the opinions of others, especially
that problems that ex.ist today did not suddenly materizLiize out subordinates, is admired and respected for having moral courage.
of thin air; problems grow over a period of time, as do new ideas It takes moral courage to admit one's mistakes. It takes moral
and new equipment. Consequently, when problems need to be courage to be honest, just, and truthful at all times. It takes moral
solved. it is wise to be aware of what has been tried before. Ib try courage to insist on abiding by regulations and laws when they are
again with a tbwed method that has failed before is orten a waste being disregarded by many others. It takes a very special moral cour-
of time and effort. age to stick to one's high principles in the t~\Ce of ridicule by peers
and fi'iends, because everyone wilnts to teellike "one of the gang."