 Next up on our list of the Marine Corps' 14 leadership
traits is ENTHUSIASM, which is defined as, “a sincere
interest and exuberance in the performance of your duties.
If you are enthusiastic, you are optimistic, cheerful, and
willing to accept the challenges.”
Many who are
unfamiliar with the Marine Corps often ask why Marines move
around so much, and honestly, I think a large part of it is
tied into this trait. It can be difficult to maintain an
extremely high level of ENTHUSIASM for your job after doing
the same thing in the same place with pretty much the same
people for years on end.
Marines changing units and
locations allows them to maintain a level of ENTHUSIASM and
more importantly should ensure that level doesn't dip way
down.
ENTHUSIASM, like many traits, is contagious in
both directions. A leader who is enthusiastic will inspire
the same from his Marines; at the same time, one who is more
apathetic will certainly infect those around him with his
apathy and bring a large number of them down.
So how
does someone regain their ENTHUSIASM once they've lost it?
That can be a very difficult proposition. Most of the
Marines I've seen who've lost ENTHUSIASM have done so
because they lose sight of the part they play in the bigger
picture.
In order to maintain or regain your
ENTHUSIASM, you have to understand your role – whether it be
a cook, baker, or candlestick maker – and how that role
impacts the organization as a whole.
The Marine Corps
is full of support roles, and every single one of us plays a
role in keeping the wheels turning. Without administrators,
Marines wouldn't go on Temporary Additional Duty trips;
without disbursers, Marines wouldn't get paid; without
supply, Marines wouldn't get the gear they need; without
public affairs specialists, the public would completely
forget what it is the Marine Corps does which would lead to
the Corps' eventual demise.
As leaders, we must
ensure those in our charge are constantly reminded of the
important role they play, and we must challenge them on a
regular basis not only to ensure their growth but also to
keep them focused.
At the end of the day, we must
remember we all play a part, and our job as is to keep the
Marine Corps going in order to make Marines, win battles,
and return quality citizens.
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