Ten Principles for Marine Leaders
 
General James L. Jones
Former Commandant of the Marine Corps

1. Have a vision-Develop a strong sense of where you want to go. You may not begin with a clear endstate, but you should at least have some guiding principles. The endstate will emerge before long, and you can begin to articulate it more fully-in broad terms. Develop goals along the way…milestones, so you can measure progress and share the achievements.

2. Build Consensus-You must invest time in articulating the vision in order to build consensus. If it's just YOUR vision…when you leave, the vision leaves with you. If you build consensus and share the ownership, the vision will remain. Don't script the vision…sell it! Let those around you fill in the details of how to get there. You must keep talking about the vision…from many different aspects…until everyone understands it in their own way.

3. Lead from a position of confidence-Believe in the direction you have charted. There is no need to develop an opposition. If you have a good vision that is shared, it should motivate everyone so you don't have to make enemies in order to motivate your people. Achieve the vision because it is the right thing to do!

4. Allow time to achieve your endstate-It will not come about overnight or all at once. Be satisfied with measurable progress toward the goal. If your vision is right…if your message is received…the means will present themselves in time.

5. You will not achieve all of your goals-At least, not on your watch. That's OK…after all; it's not about you, but about US.

6. Your Marines are trying to do the right thing-Assume this is true for ALL your Marines, regardless of rank. If they seem misguided, discover whether or not they understand the vision. Often, they just need a bit more guidance…that's what leaders are for.

7. Allow for human failure-Across everything we do, there will be setbacks associated with human failures. Most of these will be errors of omission rather than errors of commission. Giving someone a second chance will never hurt you, and will often help.

8. It's OUR Corps-It's not my Corps, or your Corps. From recruit training and OCS on…Marines should be held accountable to meet your expectations. But you need to meet theirs as well-meeting expectations is a two-way contract. This is the only way an all-volunteer force will work over the long term.

9. Empower your Marines-Give clear guidance and intent, then let your Marines do what they do best! Write good policy; then drive execution to the lowest levels practicable. You will be amazed at the results.

10. Embrace change but protect our Culture-Change is how we grow, how we stay sharp, how we deliver what the nation needs. Don't fight it…but control it's direction through articulating your vision. Remember, you don't have to do it all at once. In embracing change, however, do not abandon those things that make us who we are! The qualities that truly set Marines apart have withstood the test of time.