Leadership Philosophy Course {LP}

Introduction
Leadership is the key to the success, and failure, of any unit in combat. No matter if you’re a ground pounder on some distant world, or soaring through the blackness of space, leadership is still the key to ensuring that our forces stay united and focused on the mission and cause. However, there are different levels of leadership, the worst case, and the best. Instead of focusing entirely on the negatives, we’re going to instead focus on the positives as well as the negatives, and what it takes to be an effective and well-respected leader. Now more than ever the Imperial Directorate needs quality leaders, and that is the purpose of this course, to provide you with the tools and philosophies needed to attain the expectations required by the Military Council of the Imperial Directorate.

Philosophy of Leadership
Long ago there was a very well respected and effective leader named FA Kramer who served as Commodore of an Imperial Star Destroyer. He commanded under a philosophy that proved highly effective during the many years he commanded officers into battle. The underlying principle of his philosophy was, “A true leader does not seek reward for himself, but strives to find ways to reward those he commands. A true leader leads by example, and wants not for himself, but for those he commands. He strives to provide the activity and means by which his officers can be highly active, and thereby rewarded for their accomplishments and activity.”

This philosophy was well served during his tour of command, and as a direct result many great command officers evolved from his command. Unfortunately his philosophy and ideals were lost after his retirement, and as a result the quality of leadership within the Imperial factions lost much of its former glory and shine. It is the intention of the Imperial Directorate to bring that philosophy back to life, and in turn officially recognize a great leader in the process through homage of incorporating his beliefs into our own Fleet Doctrine.

Qualities of Leadership
FA Kramer’s philosophy of leadership, and Grand Moff Tarkin’s philosophy that eventually became known as the “Tarkin Doctrine”, both outline the need for effective leadership and control over ones command. While the “Tarkin Doctrine” spoke of using the “fear of force” to govern, FA Kramer’s philosophy went even further to provide Imperial leaders with an explanation of what it takes to effectively govern and lead while imposing the Imperial Rule over its worlds and militaries. Had the opportunity existed for both philosophies to unite long ago, the likelihood of the Rebellion having defeated the Empire would be severely negated.

Leading by Example
The first underlying principle of leadership is the ability of our leaders to effectively command and lead by example that inspire our officers to follow us into combat and follow our examples. The example set by a leader is the same example that will be instilled into the training and bearing of every officer that serves within the command of that leader. If you’re a lazy leader, then in return you will have lazy officers. But if you’re an active leader, and show you will do exactly what you expect of your own officers, then through that example of leadership they will do what you ask or order of them without question. Issuing dictates and threats to your officers to complete tasks and activities, while exhibiting a lack of desire to do the same, only brings out the worst in yourself and your officers. From the moment you issue that dictate or threat, you have lost the respect and effectiveness of your position as a leader.

Yes, from time to time an officer will come along that is just plain lazy and refuses to obey. But it is the responsibility of the leader to ensure that all is done to try and motivate that officer, and if still unsuccessful to cut that officer from the ranks so that his laziness doesn’t affect the entire unit. It is a fact of experience that if a lazy officer is kept too long within the ranks, his lack of activity and communication adversely affects those around him. Cut out the cancer, and you cut out the chances of the infestation growing and affecting the rest of the unit. A simple, yet effective, means of keeping a unit strong, even at the cost of losing a single officer.

Leading by Communication
Another underlying principle of leadership is the ability to effectively communicate. How you communicate your orders to the officers can also have an adverse effect on how they respond accordingly. If you simply demand that they do a task, then you risk the likelihood of less than 50% of the officers actually accomplishing the task. Instead, while issuing it as an order, also briefly explain to your officers the importance of the task, and how it will positively impact the unit overall once the task is completed. Most officers see activities as a burden and a waste of time, event though the majority of the time this is far from the truth. So in order to effectively lead through communication, it is important for the leader to impart to his officers how the activity will unite and increase the strength and respect of the unit itself. Strive to help them realize that within the group effort there is much reward from having accomplished the task as a single unity. This tends to bring out the bravado in most officers, and in turn they will help motivate their own comrades into being more active and involved.

Leading for the sole purpose of leading
Many officers seek a leadership position because they want the recognition of having such a position, and in most cases because they are seeking higher ranks. There’s nothing wrong with having lofty ambitions, or seeking higher ranks and positions. The problems come into light however when those ambitions and desires overshadow the actual need to effectively lead the officers within the unit. There have been leaders that have gained rank and rose through positions by simply stepping on the backs of those below them. They take the hard work and efforts of their officers and claim it as their own just to seek reward or promotions. In the process other officers and leaders lose respect for them, and in most cases refuse to work alongside them because of those faults. These types of officers eventually run into that proverbial “brick wall” and come crashing down. In the ensuing fall, all of their ‘accomplishments’ are typically exposed, and they are produced as frauds. But the damage has been done, the officers that served under the leader are demoralized, and the next leader has the impossible task of trying to prove that he’s not a fraud and restore the confidence now lost.

By leading your officers using FA Kramer’s underlying philosophy, your officers will greatly respect you, and will strive to become a leader like you as well. His superiors for his leadership ability and contributions will, ultimately reward a leader that simply focuses on his duties and responsibilities. The leader that leads by example, effectively communicates, and strives to reward his officers through activities and participation will have the greatest reward of all, the respect and admiration of those he commands and serves under.

Now take what you have learned from this course and go out and effectively lead your officers into the future Reward them with your ability to lead, and they will reward you in kind for your ability to lead.