Chaplain (Col.) Linda Pugsley
Leadership. What does that mean to those of us in the Chaplain Corps? Being the boss, making the rules, recognition from your peers . . . I certainly hope that is not your definition. If itis, let me suggest you take a different viewpoint.
Leadership may have you in front, but that means you should be helping “pull the wagon”, so to speak. Humility, approachability, open to new ideas, even correction for any errors, should be the bedrock of your tools.
Let me review some principles from Kelly Perdue’s book, “Take Command” that I would like all of those in leadership positions to consider:
- Integrity-Take the harder right over the easier wrong.
- Duty-Do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it.
- Passion-Be passionate about what you do or do what you are passionate about.
- Impeccability-if it’s worth doing. . . do it right.
- Teamwork-There is no “I” in teamwork.
- Selfless Service-Give back.
- Planning-Fail to plan. . . then plan to fail.
- Loyalty-Up, down and around your organization.
- Flexibility-The person with the most varied responses wins.
Take it to heart, remain on the front lines in the very real, ongoing spiritual battle we face. Ministry of presence, with the above principles helps keep the ship afloat and moving in the right direction. Let’s work together. Our motto should be: T.U.F.F. Together, United, Focused andFaithful. God is with us.