Ten Principles for Success

Ten Principles for Success
Major Dick Winters Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Div. “The Band of Brothers”

• Strive to be a leader of character, competence, and courage.
• Lead from the front.  Say, “Follow me!” and then lead the way.
• Stay in top physical shape, physical stamina is the root of mental toughness.
• Develop your team.  If you know your people, are fair in setting realistic goals and expectations, and lead by example, you will develop teamwork.
• Delegate responsibility to your subordinates and let them do their jobs.  You can’t do a good job if you don’t have a chance to use your imagination and creativity.
• Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles.  Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind.
• Remain humble.  Don’t worry about who receives the credit.  Never let power or authority go to your head.
• Take a moment of self-reflection.  Look at yourself in the mirror every night and ask yourself if you did your best.
• True satisfaction comes from getting the job done.  They key to a successful leader is to earn respect not because of rank or position, but because you are a leader of character.
• Hang Tough!Never, ever, give up.

From Beyond Band of Brothers, The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters, by Dick Winters and Col. Cole C. Kingseed. New York: Berkley Publishing Group, 2006. page 293.

Interesting.

The basic concepts for success are varied but essentially the same.  Leading by example...physical fitness...positive attitude and never quiting.

On a side note the Army's uniform of WW2 is so much more...elegant...than the modern version.  I wonder why they don't go back to it.  And someone tell me how Winter's is able to look like a million bucks while living at an adhoc base!  Even in a black and white photo those boots are gleaming.