Check out our linked content.

During World War 1, Napoleon Hill met an Army Major who was in charge of training new officers that were going to the front lines. During his time with the Major, the Major gave an address to the young officers instructing them on what it takes to be a military leader.

Mr. Hill was so impressed with the speech that he transcribed it completely for his book 16 Laws of Success.

Today’s discussion is a reflection of that speech.

Being in the military myself for 23 years I could really identify with what the Major was saying. I found it really interesting how what he said in WW1 is still valid today.

The Major noted several points of character attributes that are necessary for military leadership. His perspective was that a young officer would be immediately in charge of hundreds of other men, who in most cases will have more years of experience. This happens to be a very unique problem in the military.

So the major focused on character traits and behaviors that young officers must have to gain the respect and loyalty of their people.

My goal is to update this knowledge with 2020 strategies and tactics. What I found amazing were the same ideas that work for leaders during World War I continue to work for leaders today.

The ideas of respect, expectation, knowledge, service, and preparedness ring true regardless of the time or industry.