What motivates others to follow another mortal? What is the most important trait inherent within a great leader? In this blog post I will answer both of these questions by:

• drawing on my own personal experience

• a short narrative of a man who taught me what is the most important quality of a leader's character.

Let us begin by getting the semantics out of the way through defining the term:  leader.

Definitions

Oddly enough; the best definition I have found is contained in the Urban Dictionary; an online dictionary that can be satirical at times:

leader
some one who has the ability to inspire others to achieve tasks and goals that they might not other wise be capable of reaching.

Amy is a really good leader. She got everyone involved in the class debate, even the usual kids who sleep through the class.

—Urban Dictionary

The key phrase that I see in this definition is inspire others to achieve. This sounds like a daunting task, but for leaders this is not a challenge. Loyalty, which is part of every great leader's inherent makeup, is that inspiration.

My Personal Experience as a Non-Commissioned Offer

What inspires a person to follow a leader

I was promoted to the rank of Corporal in the Marine Corps when I was only 20 years old. What prompted this meritorious elevation in rank was a mystery to me at the time. Now in hindsight I see that my superiors recognized a particular quality in my character. That quality was the demonstration of loyalty.

It was never my practice to criticize a superior or my peers in public. This to me would be considered gossip, something I was taught at a very young age was wrong. I would defend my fellow Marines as well as superiors persistently, even when I perceived they were wrong. Speaking my mind to the person in error, whether a superior or a peer was never a problem. I never liked using the mistakes of others in order to posture.

As I rose though the ranks of the Marine Corps, I never demanded loyalty from my team of Marines. Loyalty must be earned, not so much obedience in the Corps. Some obey their leaders because of their rank and the fear of retribution for disobedience. I preferred to be obeyed because my men were loyal and trusted me and understood my loyalty and trust in them. By demonstrating loyalty to one's group as their leader, their obedience is freely given and with enthusiasm.

Leading Marines was much like being an older brother: No matter how much the younger sibling would irritate; the older brother was always ready to come to his defense. In the same way the younger brother respects and comes to the defense of his older brother.

Lessons on Loyalty: Lieutenant General Keys

When General Keys was asked to give one word that described him this was his answer:

I’ve always tried to take care of my troops and I believe if you take care of your men no matter where it is, combat, here, they’ll take care of you. The number one word in my vocabulary is loyalty. If you’re loyal to me, I’ll be loyal to you. And loyalty, it makes the organization in my opinion. Whether you are loyal to the brand, the CEO, you have to have loyalty.

—Lt. General William M. Keys, USMC (Ret.)

General Keys attended the Naval Academy graduating in 1960, a year before I was born. While attending the Academy, he was very active in sports. He is a Vietnam and Persian Gulf Veteran having served a total of 34 years in the United States Marine Corps retiring in 1994 as a Lieutenant General. General Keys received many decorations for bravery to include the Navy Cross, which he was awarded for actions during operations in Vietnam.

While on a search and destroy mission, Captain Keys' company made contact with a large enemy force estimated to be two companies in strength. During this contact, the company command post group received heavy automatic-weapons and mortar fire from the rear. Realizing that his rifle platoons were heavily engaged, Captain Keys organized his command group into an assault element and led them against the enemy, who were firing into his position. Personally leading his small group against a numerically superior force, he succeeded in completely overrunning the North Vietnamese, personally killing six and destroying a machine gun position. Immediately following this fire fight he rushed to the rear of his center platoon where he could best direct the deployment of his company. During the next four hours his company repelled attack after attack by a determined enemy. This period found Captain Keys along the entire line of his company, shouting encouragement, shifting forces to meet each new attack, and successfully directing all aspects of his company's firepower and supporting arms.

—Excerpt from Navy Cross Citation Awarded in 1967 to Captain William M. Keys, USMC

I served as General Keys driver for a period of close to 2 years or so, becoming very familiar with his philosophy of leadership where loyalty to his men was paramount. I observed his interactions with the men under his command and he always exhibited a deep sense of allegiance. A very humble man by nature, the General was not loud yet he was always resolute. His bearing and concern for the welfare of each Marine inspired awe from those of us who knew him well. If you were to ask anyone that ever served under his command to describe him, their answer would be the General always had your back.

Conclusions

I have tried through this short essay to answer the questions:

What motivates others to follow another mortal, and what is the most important trait inherent within a great leader?

I do not think I can make it any clearer. In order to be an effective leader, loyalty is essential.

• It is not deserved , but earned by our behaviors

• It cannot be obtained through force, but is given freely

• Loyalty is a part of one's character and cannot be faked

Please share your thoughts with me in the comment section below. I would love to hear your views on leadership, or constructive criticism on this post.

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Do not forget to hug someone today. It is the best therapy in the world! You heard it here first.

@sargento