MacArthur’s principles of leadership
Besides being a brilliant war strategist, Gen. Douglas MacArthur also proved a gifted administrator and charismatic figure. To guide his own behavior as a leader, he developed this list of questions:
1. “Do I heckle my subordinates or strengthen and encourage them?”
2. “Do I use moral courage in ridding myself of subordinates who have proven themselves beyond doubt to be unfit?”
3. “Have I done all in my power by encouragement, incentive and spur to salvage the weak and erring?”
4. “Do I know by name and character a maximum number of subordinates? Do I know them intimately?”
5. “Am I thoroughly familiar with the technique, necessities, objectives and administration of my job?”
6. “Do I lose my temper at individuals?”
7. “Do I act in such a way as to make my subordinates want to follow me?”
8. “Do I delegate certain tasks that should be mine?”
9. “Do I arrogate everything to myself and delegate nothing?”
10. “Do I develop my subordinates by placing on each one as much responsibility as he can stand?”
11. “Am I interested in the personal welfare of each of my subordinates, as if he were a member of my family?”
12. “Have I the calmness of voice and manner to inspire confidence, or am I inclined to irascibility and excitability?”
13. “Am I a constant example to my subordinate in character, dress, deportment and courtesy?”
14. “Am I inclined to be nice to my superiors and mean to my subordinates?”
15. “Is my door open to my subordinates?”
16. “Do I think more of position than job?”
17. “Do I correct a subordinate in front of others?”
1. “Do I heckle my subordinates or strengthen and encourage them?”
2. “Do I use moral courage in ridding myself of subordinates who have proven themselves beyond doubt to be unfit?”
3. “Have I done all in my power by encouragement, incentive and spur to salvage the weak and erring?”
4. “Do I know by name and character a maximum number of subordinates? Do I know them intimately?”
5. “Am I thoroughly familiar with the technique, necessities, objectives and administration of my job?”
6. “Do I lose my temper at individuals?”
7. “Do I act in such a way as to make my subordinates want to follow me?”
8. “Do I delegate certain tasks that should be mine?”
9. “Do I arrogate everything to myself and delegate nothing?”
10. “Do I develop my subordinates by placing on each one as much responsibility as he can stand?”
11. “Am I interested in the personal welfare of each of my subordinates, as if he were a member of my family?”
12. “Have I the calmness of voice and manner to inspire confidence, or am I inclined to irascibility and excitability?”
13. “Am I a constant example to my subordinate in character, dress, deportment and courtesy?”
14. “Am I inclined to be nice to my superiors and mean to my subordinates?”
15. “Is my door open to my subordinates?”
16. “Do I think more of position than job?”
17. “Do I correct a subordinate in front of others?”
