Unedited Version (the "Before")

Please give a brief evaluation¹ of yourself as a leader

In order to give an accurate evaluation of myself as a leader, I think it is important to discuss some of the events that molded my leadership skills. Having served as a Non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine² Corps³, I was in a position that allowed me to learn and develop valuable leadership skills. The Marine Corps places great emphasis on the characteristic of leadership, believing that great leaders are not born, they are properly trained.

Leadership in the Marine Corps is more complicated than the simple management of employees. I learned this lesson the hard way, being thrust into a management position as my unit was being shipped over seas during the Persian Gulf⁴ War. As a newly promoted Corporal, I was given the job of night crew supervisor⁵ in charge of 15 other marines. In the Marine Corps, the person in charge is not only held accountable for the work getting done but also the performance and conduct of their marines. At the ripe old age of 21 I was put in the position too not only lead these marines, but to take some responsibility for their personal lives and general welfare. This being my second time over seas, I understood many of the difficulties that a young marine can have on their first extended trip away from their family. I enjoyed helping⁶ my marines over come their problems, and learned that the benefits were well worth the time that I invested. I discovered that employees who have the support of their management tend to be more focused on the tasks at hand, gaining levels of trust and loyalty⁷ that can only benefit the organization.

Another unique aspect of the Marine Corps is that a manager must come up with a means other than direct compensation in order to motivate employees. It can be very difficult at times to be in charge of individuals, yet have no direct control over their salaries or advancement⁸ in the organization. The government decides military salaries, and promotions⁹ are controlled by boards with the primary means of measurement being time in service. Because of this, I learned that good leadership is based on mutual¹⁰ respect. I believe it is much more important to gain the trust and confidence of your employees than to use direct compensation in order to motivate.

Throughout my Marine Corps career and beyond I developed many strong leadership skills, but most of all I learned that to be effective as a manager one must remain focused on the human aspect of leadership. This experience will be one of many contribution