Marine Corps Base Quantico --
Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, deputy commandant for plans,
policies and operations, likened effective leadership to the coaching style
preferred by the late Bear Bryant.
The legendary University of Alabama football coach was long
renowned for overseeing his Crimson Tide practices from the tower that sat
alongside the practice field. The high vantage point afforded Bryant the
opportunity to see all of what was going on with his team.
Bailey advocated for a similar big-picture approach for
effective leadership.
“When he was up there, he was looking, learning and
absorbing,” Bailey said during the U.S. Marine Corps Leadership Roundtable held
at The Clubs at Quantico on Nov. 13. “When he was up there, he could see
everything.”
Bailey was among the four distinguished speakers to
address the 60 guests in attendance, joining Zachary T. Lowe Jr., section
chief, FBI Academy; Patrick A. Burke,
assistant chief, Washington, D.C. Police Department; and Col. Allen D.
Broughton, chief of staff, Marine Corps National Capital Region/Marine Corps
Base Quantico.
Dr. Kenneth D. Dunn, director, Marine Corps Leadership
Seminar, served as the moderator.
The panel, whose theme was “Interagency Leadership:
Bridging Gaps in security, law enforcement and force protection,” took turns
speaking about the different characteristics required for effective leadership
before breaking for lunch and later opening the forum to questions.
Bailey effectively characterized the traits necessary to
be an effective leader with his acronym of “BALCONY,” that called for leaders
(B) being above by seeing the big picture, (A) adapting to whatever comes at
you, (L) listening, looking and learning, (C) concentrating your time and
efforts in the most efficient manner, (O) seizing precious opportunities as
they arise, (N) telling your own personal narrative and (Y) yielding to your
own natural instincts.
Lowe echoed similar comments, but also stressed the
importance of building a climate of trust and continuing to work at it at all
times.
“Leadership is a skill,” he said. “It’s a skill you have
to work on every day.”
Broughton cited “the ability to make timely decisions at
the right moments” as yet another characteristic of a strong leader.
Burke added that strong leaders consistently surround
themselves with good people and have a readily apparent passion for what they
do.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to get things done and
take care of people,” he said.
Writer: jhollis@quanticosentryonline.com