Echelon Front

Leadership is not about you. It's your opportunity to care and make life better for your people. #leadership #leaders #extremeownership #leadershipdevelopment

Never. Forget.

September 11, 2001 changed everything for all of us. 23 years ago today, New York City First Responders courageously answered the call, and in the years that followed, our Military mobilized to fight these enemies abroad. They never thought twice about the sacrifices they were asked to make because they put their duty to us first. So many have sacrificed so much that this moment can never be forgotten. 343 members of FDNY, 2,753 victims in the towers, and thousands of service members. We must remember them - today and every day. 

Leadership isn’t a role or a title — it’s who we are in every aspect of life. The word "leadership" often feels confined to professional settings, loaded with expectations. But leadership is so much more: it’s how we influence and connect with others in our everyday interactions. It's about navigating the tension between competing priorities, overcoming the ego that holds us back, and building authentic relationships in every sphere of life. It’s not something we switch on at work and off at home — it’s how we engage with our families, friends, coworkers, teammates, employees, and communities every day. By embracing humility, taking ownership, and detaching from emotional reactions, we can be the leaders our teams, families, and communities need. Does this view of leadership align with or differ from yours? How does adopting this perspective impact how you lead and live? #Leadership #Humility #Ownership #Authenticity #LeadershipDevelopment #EchelonFront

What is Leadership Capital? Leadership capital is the strength of your relationships, your ability to influence others, and their willingness to follow your lead. A bank account is the perfect metaphor. Every interaction is an opportunity to either deposit or withdraw funds from your leadership capital account. When leaders dictate every aspect of a plan, when they refuse to answer questions others might have, cut others off when they are trying to present an idea, and don't make time to listen, those leaders make a significant withdrawal from their leadership capital account. When a leader refuses to support their boss or disparages their chain of command, the result is a substantial withdrawal of leadership capital. But when a leader prioritizes relationships, gives their team ownership of plans, listens to people's ideas and lets them take the lead, those leaders make a deposit into their leadership capital. When you listen to your boss's plan and try and execute it to the best of your ability, you acquire leadership capital that will allow you better leverage to suggest modifications that might make your boss's plan more effective. By asking for people's ideas and listening to their plans, by supporting your boss, you gain more leadership capital and more influence. The more leadership capital you accumulate, the easier it will be when it comes time to expend leadership capital. When you have to ask people to come in early, or stay late, or take on a difficult or challenging project that they make not be thrilled about, those are expenditures in leadership capital. And you want to make sure you have enough in the bank that an infrequent, periodic leadership capital expenditure doesn't bankrupt you. Don't assume that you have plenty of leadership capital in the bank. The small daily withdrawals add up and can empty your account over time if you aren't paying attention. But the small, daily deposits also accumulate to a large amount over time. When we give people ownership, we show them we care about their growth and believe in their ideas. And there's nothing more powerful that we can give our people than control over their own destiny. That is a way to accelerate your leadership capital growth. In every interaction you have with others--up, down and across the chain of command--focus on acquiring the most leadership capital you can by giving people ownership, listening to them and prioritize your relationship with others. Your ability to lead and influence your team depends on how much capital is in your bank account. So work hard to acquire as much leadership capital as you can, and don't spend it foolishly. Echelon Front #leadershipcapital #leadership

“Hey, listen up, I’m in charge!” I’ve never heard a good leader say this. I’ve heard “leaders” say this, but it was never from a good leader… Growing up, I watched stereotypical leaders bark orders and demand respect through their words. But that stuff in movies doesn’t work in reality. These leaders are driven by their egos rather than by their selfless care for the team and mission. So, instead of dictating that your team follows your lead, build relationships, connect with them, and find ways to give them ownership. When you listen to others, respect their ideas, and trust their plans, people will be far more inclined to follow you. Good leaders earn their leadership capital rather than demanding it.

Discipline starts when your alarm clock goes off. Did you snooze and give in to the comfort? Or did you embrace the day and choose discipline?

Happy birthday to the leader of leaders, Jocko Willink.

Happy birthday, Rob Jones! Rob Jones is a retired US Marine, combat leader, and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front. As a Combat Engineer, Rob specialized in finding hidden Improvised Explosive Devices. On a mission in 2010, Rob stepped on an IED, which resulted in double above-knee amputations of his legs. Yet Rob decided this moment wouldn’t define him. He took ownership of his attitude and went on to run 31 marathons in 31 days, bike across America, and now plans to run a marathon to honor our First Responders with @codey.gandy Beyond his incredible achievements and outlook, Rob is one of the funniest and caring leaders you’ll ever meet. It is an honor to have him on our team!

Let’s run TO HONOR THOSE who stand for us. Our Military and First Responders risk their lives and persist through injury and emotional suffering so that we don’t have to. They don’t do it for thanks, but we owe them—not just with words but with action. This November, Codey Gandy and Rob Jones are running 26.2 miles to honor those who put us before themselves. All proceeds raised will go towards leadership training for First Responders. Show your appreciation for their sacrifices by joining us at whatever distance challenges you - 5k, 10k, 13.1, or 26.2 mi. Learn how you can join this movement TO HONOR THOSE in this VIRTUAL RUN: https://lnkd.in/gVf2EzMw