I joined the Army at a young age. One of the first steps up for a small leadership role require completion of a junior non-commissioned officer’s course. Successful completion would generally result in promotion from private to lance corporal (one strip). My first command and stripe up I could hear the drums beating and pipers playing The Black Bear as I stepped off for the parade square. I was a soldier taking the queen shilling off the drumhead.
One of my instructors was a senior gnarly old sergeant of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment of Canada). For some reason we bonded during the course during and during one of the many conversations he shared with me was what he described to be as all I needed to know about leadership.
He said … remember these…the 3 F’s… Firm… Fair… And Friendly.
They have stayed with me all these years. I still use them today in my class dealing with students. I commend them to you.
