The Navy’s 11 Leadership Principles

by

Rich Foreman




I can still vividly remember reciting the Navy’s Leadership Principles by memory while my squad leader was inches from my face during freshmen orientation for the Navy ROTC program at the University of Washington.  Here the Navy’s 11 Leadership Principles (sadly, I can no longer recite them from memory):

  1. Know your people and look out for their welfare.
  2. Keep your people informed.
  3. Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
  4. Be technically and tactically proficient.
  5. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.
  6. Make sound and timely decisions.
  7. Set the example.
  8. Develop a sense of responsibility in your subordinates.
  9. Ensure that the task is understood, supervised, and accomplished.
  10. Train your people as a team.
  11. Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities.

When I was an 18 year old midshipman, the principles were something that I had to learn to get through inspections. However, during my career, they have become guidelines for me when I have had the privilege to lead. I also judge all of my bosses by whether their actions followed the principles or not.  The truly great leaders instinctively followed the principles even if they were civilians and never had any military training.

Take a look at the principles and think of the managers that you work for during your career. If you find them violating the principles, inherently you have judged them as poor mangers. Conversely, if you find them following the principles, I’m sure you’ve labeled them as good leaders.





About Rich Foreman

Rich Foreman is the Chief Technology Officer of Cordico. He led the team that developed the CordicoShield / CordicoFire Wellness App. He leads Cordico’s technical operations with over 25 years of experience in leadership, engineering, mobile application development and sales. Rich has a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington, an MPA from Troy State University and was an officer in the U.S. Navy. Rich co-authored his book, “Tap into the Mobile Economy.” Rich’s blog was listed in Top 20 Marketing Mobile Blogs of 2014. He has been featured on KCRA3, NEWS10, 1170 Tech AM PowerDrive, Business Radio Money 105.5, SiliconIndia, the Sacramento Business Journal, and the Sacramento Bee. Rich is also the Founding Director of the Sacramento Chapter of Startup Grind and served a term as Utility Commissioner for the City of Folsom. Rich is a regular contributor to TechWire.net and StartupSac.com. Rich also co-founded Apptology which was acquired in 2019.