A Military Leadership Notebook

Within formal organizations like the military, individuals in charge rely on two sources of authority to get the job done: granted statutory power and personal power, which is gained by earning trust. Good leaders use both.

In A Military Leadership Notebook, Walter F. Ulmer Jr., who retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant general, explores what makes a great commander. While he focuses on the military, the leadership lessons he shares work in war and peace, on land and at sea, and in small and large organizations.

Ulmer defines leadership, shares his personal philosophy of leadership, reveals tips on measuring a leader’s success, and outlines behaviors that can lead to success—as well as those that can lead to disaster.

He also wades into the debate over whether leaders are born or made, explains why it’s important to respect the authority and responsibility of subordinate leaders, and how to manage organizations and large staffs.

No matter what your military rank—and even if you’re a civilian leader—this guide will be a leadership teaching tool that you’ll refer to for years to come.