Joint Base Charleston, S.C. –
Last week I was in Jacksonville, Fla., and had the opportunity to visit the corporate headquarters for Landstar and CSX, two nationwide transportation and logistics companies. During each visit, I was struck by the promotional posters and advertisements hanging in the offices of each company and the pride they instilled, but I was more impressed by the visible display of each organization's core values prominently displayed for their employees to see. Likewise, as I interacted with each corporation's employees, you could see that they embraced the culture and truly represented the values of their companies.
Every day that I come to work at the 841st Transportation Battalion, I pass seven posters hanging on the wall to my office - one for each of the Army values - loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Each of the services at Joint Base Charleston has a set of core values. When was the last time you took the time to think of how these values influence your leadership and your organization?
As a leader, your services' core values should guide your role in the organization and help formulate the decisions you make. The Army has turned its' values into an easy to remember acronym - LDRSHIP. From the first day in the military until retirement, they shape every decision that you make. While we face unique challenges each and every day on JB Charleston, the Army's values provide the foundation for Army leaders to overcome the most demanding decisions and situations seen during 10 years of sustained combat - the longest period our nation has encountered. Our Army is stronger today due to this strong base.
Hopefully your Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors have embraced your respective services values like the employees of Landstar and CSX. How many individuals do you know that love to come to work every day compared to those that dread showing up? While there may be many factors, have you thought about whether they live your service's values in their actions and the corresponding impact on your unit? Your organization's culture and climate are directly impacted by the level at which the members embrace and live by the respective service values.
Think about how your service's values impact you as a leader, and the members of your organization - it will provide you with a framework to determine the climate and ultimate success of your unit.