NO YELLING: The Final Lesson

Today we finalize our journey into a practical study of leadership development titled: NO YELLING. The lessons contained within our study stem from the book "NO YELLING: The 9 Secrets of Marine Corps Leadership You Must Know to Win in Business" by Wally Adamchik.

Many within (and outside of!) the Delta Companies, Inc., organization will know Wally from his many training sessions at Colas University, various Colas meetings, and even our own Delta Days training events. As a former U.S. Marine Officer, Wally led a tank battalion before becoming a pilot of AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters. Today, he serves as President of FireStarter Speaking and Consulting. To learn more about Wally, visit his website at www.firestarterspeaking.com.

Thus far, our exploration of "NO YELLING: The 9 Secrets of Marine Corps Leadership You Must Know to Win in Business", has covered:

1. Integrity - Trustworthy, Consistent, and Non-negotiables
2. Technical Competence - The Foundation of Credibility, Success Triangle, and Setting the Standards
3. Set the Example - Inspiring Followers, Being a Role Model, and Professionalism
4. Self-Awareness - Know Thyself, Personal Style, and Situational Awareness
5. Take Care of People - At Work, At Home, and For Life
6. Make New Leaders - Cultural, Personal, and Accountable
7. Commander's Intent - Where Are We Going, Communication, and Getting the Point Across
8. Culture and Values - Core Values, Alignment, and The Science Behind Values
9. Rehearsals and Critiques - The Foundation of Success, Practice the Way You Play, and Let's Talk About It.

In the book's introduction, and in our initial lesson, Wally makes the following statement regarding leadership:

"Leadership is a conscious behavior, developed through application and ongoing assessment. It is both an art - learned and refined over time - and a skill that requires practice and introspection. It's what makes people want to work for you. And, as you will see, it's about trust. Successful leaders earn the trust of those they lead, allowing them to advance their agenda in support of the larger effort."

Some are born leaders, the rest of us have to read, study, practice, and refine our skills and habits to become one. We must follow the "Plan. Do. Check. Act." methodology of the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) on a daily basis. And encourage those we lead to do the same.

I hope you have enjoyed the lessons from Wally's book.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc