January 16, 2024
by Stephen T. Messenger
For the next five weeks, we’re going to explore a new leadership concept that I’ve been wrestling with for almost a year. In this series, we’ll dig into five principles of leadership required to lead yourself and others.
As many of you know, I’m a soldier in the United States Army. This new concept emerged while I was putting on combat military gear one morning for a field exercise. While donning my full “kit,” I started to think about the necessity of equipping yourself for leadership – be it the battlefield, the boardroom, or any situation.
Much like Teddy Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena, each of us must choose to walk onto the field and lead the best we can in that particular situation. But before entering the arena, we need the right equipment and mindset.
RALE+1
I’ve used a narrative for a number of years on the five characteristics of a leader. It’s based on a book by author Robert Lewis, Raising a Modern Day Knight, where he speaks on four qualities, and I’ve added a fifth.
Using the acronym RALE+1, these five attributes are essential to being a leader:
Do Not Have a Hint, Sniff, or Whiff of Impropriety about You
I love this concept, and it will always be part of my vocabulary, but I’m shifting to another narrative of fully equipping yourself with the leadership tools needed to be successful. I call this “BRAG+1.”
BRAG+1 – It’s about the Team
Under this new theory, every one of us gets up in the morning ready to lead our organization, family, or ourselves, and BRAG about a team that we’re proud of. To do so appropriately, we must wear the proper equipment and have the right mindset.
Soldiers do this when going into battle. They equip and prepare themselves by wearing the gear, weapons, and mentality needed for victory on the battlefield. As they put on their kit, they become more and more ready to lead formations.
This BRAG+1 acronym stands for Boots, Regimentals, Armor, and Gun with the +1 being the Belt. Each piece of gear represents a different concept of leadership.
Boots – Put Boots on the Ground. As soldiers and leaders lace up their combat boots in the morning, they need to be physically present. They must put “boots on the ground” and engage their people. The leader does not hide themselves away in the office, nor ignore others. They are present, engaged, communicating, and known by their followers, peers, and associates.
Regimentals – Place Service over Self. “Regimentals” is the name for a soldier’s uniform and affiliation. A U.S. Army soldier’s uniform has two name tapes. The right side is the soldier’s last name. The left side is the name tape stating “U.S. Army,” infinitely more important. While your name and reputation carry important weight, it’s critical leaders know that the organization is more important than themselves.
Armor – Be Resilient to Life’s Setbacks. The next item put on prior to leading is the armor of a soldier. This body armor protects the person from the inevitable attacks of the enemy. And trouble will come. If there were no problems, they wouldn’t need you. The armor reminds us to be resilient in the face of trouble and walk with confidence.
Gun – Close with and Destroy the Enemy. Leaders deliver results, period. The rifle of a soldier is a constant reminder that leaders must engage others and move forward on the field of battle to gain ground. A leader’s job is to generate wins for the good of the organization, requiring offensive operations. When leaders walk onto the field with weapons, others know that they’ve come to win.
+1: Belt – Do Not Have a Hint, Sniff, or Whiff or Impropriety about You. Finally, and not as an afterthought but a core tenant, a belt holds pants up. No one can ever look at a leader and think that they may do something illegal or immoral. A leader is the standards bearer of the organization and can never move an inch from that narrative. Every action must be above reproach!
BRAG about Your Team
These five principles are the foundation to exceptional leaders and deliver results on the field of battle. Every day, each of us must fully equip ourselves to face the day’s challenges head on. By putting on the full armor of a leader, we can all deliver results when we, as the Army Soldier’s Creed states, “Serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
Or for all leaders, “Serve others and do so with honor.”
We hope you’ll join us for these next five weeks of unpacking each characteristic.
In the meantime, go out and BRAG about your team!
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This website is a personal blog and all writings, podcasts, opinions, and posts are the authors’ own and do not represent the views of the United States Army nor any other organization. Podcast music credit in this audio file is to: “Alex Productions – Legends” is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0). / @alexproductionsnocopyright Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: • 🌆 Royalty Free Epic Cinematic Music -…
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