When I stepped into the "Head" Athletic Trainer role after 12 years here I thought I had earned leadership credibility. I had, it just did not go as smoothly as I assumed.

Kevin Parker and John Ciecko discuss the book About Face by General Hackworth

“Personal gifts like intellect or charisma help. But neither are required enough to be a leader. Physical appearance, poise, and outward self-confidence can be confused with leadership - for a time. I saw many new lieutenants arrive to battalions and fail to live up to the expectations their handsome, broad-shouldered look generated. Leaders walk a fine line between self-confidence and humility. People are born; leaders are made.”  - McChrystal

“You can read all kinds of books you want and you can make all kinds of plans you want, but when you get out in the field, those books and those plans might not meet the eye of the situation you find there. So you just have to roll with it.” - Hackworth

Kevin Parker joins again after last seasons Heroes as Leaders - https://sportsmedicinebroadcast.com/heroes-as-leaders/

1. In discussing earned leadership, what is your favorite part of About Face?

Kevin - when he took over the battalion in Vietnam and transformed them into a well-oiled fighting machine.

Everyone wants to be the transformational leader that people write stories about...but this is where you miss the whole point of the book.

Why a book about war to teach lessons in AT?

* You take care of your people* ID problems and the people to handle those problems...then give them resources to deal with them.

2. Learning leadership - the wrong way

“Grab at the coattails.” - p. 60

The Army was no more warriors than it was clerks trying to get the army out there.

Rather than earned leadership people surrounded themselves with people that were going to agree and help support your decision.

There was no one there to help prevent them from not making critical decisions.

Hackworth’s willingness to accept clear honest feedback is ultimately the best for the organization.

Be wary of an echo chamber

“Figures don’t lie.” - p. 601

300% input of Ranger School...but that was because we went from 0 to 3…

If you want to lie to get ahead you lose your leadership capital in the end.

Hackworth was all about not sugarcoating things.  He wanted to clearly disseminate info up and down the chain in the same manner.

You have to tailor your message to each person, but it’s the same message.

To the athlete: the outside of your ankle hurts

To the Doctor: his lateral malleolus is the affected area

Rehab - do they know what they are doing and why...so you could walk away and they can continue.

Don’t be that person “he is great at rehab but has terrible bedside manner...”

DO YOUR ACTIONS MATCH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

“Measuring up” p. 778

3. Learning leadership - Honesty and morality

“Study of Vietnam” p. 614

The tactical know-how of senior officers has ended in a condition of not knowing how to fight but a bunch of corporate office managers.

The soldiers are focused on advancing to the next lev...