Don't Let Trust Crumble under Silent Leadership

I started out as a leader when I was 21. As a young civilian, I wasn't formally educated in leadership, but I was surrounded by examples. They were both positive and negative – but exclusively stoic men creating an environment filled with stoic men. There was no visible space (or models) for emotion or perceived frailty.

Growing up within the military, I was already "armored up." Those early years reinforced the armor, a necessity to hide behind when I was struggling with health or personal challenges. While it served me well working with Marines, eventually I realized how costly it was as a leader, creating added uncertainty and stress for my team.

We never hide things as well as we think. I learned that lesson the hard way, pushing me to try something different in my most recent struggles.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Leadership Vitae.