My philosophy of leadership boils down to treating others as I would want to be treated. Being a positive influence for others and inspiring them to accomplish organizational and personal goals is the true definition of leadership. This approach will enable me to respond to the privilege of being a leader by building trust and honoring the Coast Guard’s core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.
2. There have been quite a few leadership influences over the last 21 years in the Coast Guard. These influences have come from people up and down my chain of command. Some leadership influences came from the obvious sources like my Officer in Charge or senior petty officers. While others came from people that were basically my equals or even junior to me. For the most part, I have been very lucky to have worked for very qualified leadership. One of my OICs eventually ended up becoming the MCPO-CG. Probably the best time of my Coast Guard life was when I was working for MCPO Bowen at Station Sand Key. It wasn’t just MCPO Bowen’s leadership that was exemplary, most of the senior petty officers at that time were excellent. Several people I worked with during that tour went on to become officers in the Coast Guard as well as a director of a major federal agency. When I joined the Coast Guard my main goal was to become a coxswain on the 41ft UTB. With a little hard work, the aforementioned leaders helped me gain both a professional and organizational goal of becoming a coxswain. I hope there is someone in the Coast Guard that can say the same thing about me.
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Leadership is often displayed down the chain of command as well. A few my subordinates have moved past me and into the officer corps. He was an excellent section leader that had gained the trust of his crew. Consequently, he was able to inspire others to attain organizational and professional goals. Members of his crew were highly proficient and in various stages of