The General’s Questions

Posted on October 02, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

In his book “On Leadership,” John Gardner described General Douglas MacArthur as a brilliant strategist, a farsighted administrator, and flamboyant to his fingertips.

General MacArthur developed a list of questions to personally guide him in his leadership duties. ** These principles are useful for any leader to help guide them in various situations:

• Do I belittle my subordinates, or strengthen and encourage them?
• Do I use moral courage in getting rid of subordinates who have proven themselves beyond doubt to be unfit?
• Have I done ALL in my power to encourage, incenticize, and spur the weak and erring?
• Do I know by NAME and CHARACTER a maximum number of subordinates for whom I am responsible? Do I know them intimately?
• Am I thoroughly familiar with the technique, necessities, objectives, and administration of my job?
• Have I lost my temper with an individual?
• Do I act in such a way as to make my subordinates WANT to follow me? Do I delegate tasks that should be mine?
• Are there tasks I am doing I should delegate?
• Do I develop my subordinates by intentionally placing on each one as much responsibility as they can stand?
• Am I interested in the personal welfare of each of my subordinates, as if he were a member of my family?
• Have I the calmness of voice and manner to inspire confidence, or am I inclined to irascibility and excitability?
• Am I a constant example to my subordinates in character, dress, deportment, and courtesy?
• Am I inclined to be nice to my superiors and mean to my subordinates?
• Is my door open to my subordinates?
• Do I think more of POSITION than RESPONSIBILITY?
• Have I corrected a subordinate in front of others?