The Eighteen Traits of Good Soldiers and Leaders
I was listening to the Jocko podcast and the latest episode detailed an old Korean War era study about what makes a good soldier and leader. The list could have been made in 2026. Here are the traits. The 18 Essential Traits for Combat & Leadership Combat Know-How: Mastering the technical and tactical skills of your job. Staying on Task Under Pressure: Maintaining focus on the mission despite extreme stress. Remaining Calm: Controlling your physiological and emotional response to danger. Taking Care of Gear: Understanding that your equipment is your life and your team's life. Putting the Team First: Avoiding selfishness and prioritizing the group's needs over personal comfort. Giving Clear Leadership: Providing simple, actionable directions that everyone understands. Fair Leadership: Treating subordinates with consistency and justice. Taking Quick Appropriate Action: Making timely decisions rather than being paralyzed...