Determination

During my time in the army, I collaborated with a fellow instructor, Major Stanley Newall, while we were both serving in the countering terrorism department at the U.S. Army Military Police School. Stan was a former prisoner of war who the Viet Cong had held for an astonishing six years. Despite enduring such hardship, he didn’t focus on his years in captivity. Instead, he shared his determination to reunite with his high school sweetheart and return home.
I also had the privilege of meeting and working with the late Senator John McCain and his staff during one of my assignments in the Army. Senator McCain, who was one of our country’s most well-known prisoners of war, was held captive for five and a half years, just like Stan. In Senator McCain’s presence, I gained a deeper understanding of what determination looks and feels like in a leader.
Determination is a crucial trait of exceptional leaders. It is demonstrated through a leader’s unwavering commitment to achieving goals and completing missions. Like a magnet, a leader’s determination draws others in and motivates them to perform beyond their abilities, heightening their senses of sight, hearing, and touch and inspiring action.
Determination comes in various forms, too. Fresh Army recruits, for example, accomplish remarkable feats due to their determination to succeed, which in turn motivates their teammates. I have also worked with influential leaders such as General Dave Petraeus, who exhibited unwavering determination in solving the most perplexing security challenges and inspired the Army to perform under the most challenging and hostile conditions.
The best leaders understand that with purpose, vision, direction, and clarity, determination can help you reach your goals and achieve success. However, without purpose, determination is non-existent. Without vision, determination diminishes. Without direction, determination falters. Without clarity, determination weakens. When determination is lacking, indecision, uncertainty, and chaos follow, and failure becomes likely.
In the next six months, CEOs and business owners will adjust and implement new strategies to improve the under performing aspects of their companies. Most companies are midway through the fiscal year and realize that they need to make significant operational and personnel changes to achieve their annual goals. Their first step is to refine their purpose, restate their vision, articulate the direction, and clarify their milestones, and then work with determination and resolve to achieve them. Followers will reflect, imitate, and perpetuate their determination. Take inspiration from real-life heroes Major Stanley Newall and Senator John McCain. Their determination propelled them across the finish line and into the winner’s circle!
COL Paul A. Raggio (Ret), the owner of Five Star Leader Development, is a fractional CEO/COO who develops C-Suite executives, business owners, and their management teams on leadership, management principles, and best business practices. Contact him to achieve exceptional results in your company! His email address is paul@fivestarleaderdevelopment.com, and his phone number is (252) 571-7368. Visit his website at https://www.fivestarleaderdevelopment.com.