Leadership
Definition and qualities
Leadership is the ability to influence a group towards a goal by consent, not merely by rank. Qualities tested: integrity and honesty, discipline, courage (physical and moral), initiative, loyalty, responsibility, empathy, sound decision-making, communication, physical fitness and setting a personal example.
Styles
- Autocratic - the leader decides alone; quick in an emergency, but poor for morale.
- Democratic - the team participates; best for camps and small teams.
- Laissez-faire - the group is left free; works only with trained, motivated people.
Functions of a leader
Plan, organise, brief clearly, supervise, motivate, enforce discipline, look after the welfare of the team, evaluate and set the example. A leader is a follower who has learnt to obey.
Cadet leadership appears through appointments such as Cadet Senior Under Officer and Company Sergeant Major, or leading a section in drill, a patrol in field craft, or a tent group in camp.
Worked example
During camp your team of eight must pitch tents before dark, but two cadets are slow and one has an injured ankle. Reason: assess time, people and tasks; send two fit cadets to the main tent; give the injured cadet a seated job such as sorting pegs and holding ropes; brief clearly, supervise and report to the camp officer. Marks are earned for the decision and for welfare - not for doing everything yourself.
Traps
Writing "a leader always gives orders" - NCC leadership rests on consent. Listing qualities with no example. Overlooking the safety and welfare of the team, which Indian military leadership places before the task.