This week, I had the privilege of meeting Lt. General Dennis McCarthy, USMC (retired), former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, and guest speaker at the Ross Leadership Hour hosted by Otterbein University. His topic was “Leading The Marine Corps Way” and how those leadership traits and principles relate to business leadership.
While discussing the purpose of leadership training in the Marines, Lt. General McCarthy referred to the “Strategic Corporal” who leads his team “the last 500 meters.” They are the people who have to carry the day in the end; the frontline leaders and the small number of people who report to them. While it may be the General who creates the opportunity for success, and the Captain who gives the orders, it is the front line that has to carry out the plan to the end.
I’m guessing you can already see the tie to business.
The General went on to describe the “Strategic Corporal” this way: he has a mission, he has a team, he has decisions to make and CNN is probably watching! This corporal is now the strategic point for the whole USA. When it comes to the front line in action, the corporal is out there with his team, leading on his own.
That Marine better know what to do and how to do it.
What business doesn’t rely on a front line leader to make the right decisions and do the right thing? Think about your leaders. Do they understand the mission? Do they appropriately deploy their human resources to achieve the goal? Can they carry the day when you’re not around, no matter who might be watching?
Are your emerging leaders prepared to lead the last 500 meters?
