I have been focusing on each of the 10 leadership principles I learned as an officer in the army. This the third of these principles.

• Volunteer for important missions and responsibilities.
• Plan ahead when you have a new mission or responsibility.
• Get out of your comfort zone. If you?re not at least a bit nervous, you?re not taking enough risk.
• Learn about and try out new approaches.
• Take the blame when things go poorly, and praise your team when things go well.
• Remember that no one is shooting at you.
• Responsibility means being able to answer for your decisions, actions, and behaviour. Responsibility = accountability.
• Put your attention on what you can control and either manage risk for the rest, or forget about it.
• Risk should only be accepted with a corresponding chance of reward.
• As a leader you?re part of ?the system,? and represent the institution. So you can?t blame ?the man? because you?re him.

Richard Martin is The Master Strategist and Leadership Catalyst. Richard brings his military and business leadership and management experience to bear for executives and organizations seeking to radically improve performance, grow, and thrive in the face of rapid change, harsh competition, and increasing uncertainty.

© 2014 Richard Martin. Reproduction and quotes are permitted with proper attribution.

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