The 3 Cs of leadership.

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In the military today, especially the Army, there is no skill more desirable for success than good leadership. The price paid for bad leadership or lack of leadership, tragically, is the ultimate sacrifice of Soldiers' lives. Good leaders do not magically appear; they are developed, or "grown from within." According to doctrine, "An Army leader is anyone who by virtue of assumed role or assigned responsibility inspires and influences people to accomplish organizational goals. Army leaders motivate people both inside and outside the chain of command to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization." (1)

Leadership Attributes

The characteristics I look for in good leaders are the 3 Cs: competence, confidence, and compassion. I learned these three attributes from former supervisors and noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in different forms and manners, but they all conveyed the same message. I viewed these …