Hi, Chris:)

First, thanks for your service.

This is a well- thought-out and comprehensivedissection of leadership essentials.  I cannot claim the "Combat-Proven Leader" descriptor, but my military experiences have been invaluable in my career and your sharing from this perspective is welcomed.

I could happily comment on everything you have shared, but your thoughts in "Actions" around what your followers think about you reminded me of a Ropes Course I took my college student housing staff through one time.

As the facilitator explained the general guidelines and began the first challenge, he noticed that thirty sets of eyeballs swiveled on me, as I obliviously "took charge" and made all the decisions, unknowingly setting a top-down dynamic, which was the opposite of my intention for the day.  I was trying to help my staff become critical thinkers and problem solvers ... And this was not the way.

In the first challenge, I immediately took charge to explain how we would safely escape the Giant Poison Spider ... and blew our chances with a careless action fifteen seconds in.

After a quick debriefing with the team, the facilitator creatively addressed this issue by tying my hands behind my back, gagging, and blindfolding me for the rest of the morning, taking me completely out of any leadership role and making me baggage for the team to haul around as they quite effectively solved various challenges.

This learning experience for both me and my team was one of the most thoughtful and productive I have participated in.  I learned about by eing helpless and totally dependent on others and various team members experienced clear boosts to their confidence - win-win:)

This was a clear lesson about paying attention to how your actions affect others and a turning point in my professional leadership journey.

Chris, thanks again for your excellent post and the trip down Memory Lane:)

John