The Army Leader Competencies: What Leaders Are Expected to Do

https://www.ncolcoe.army.mil/News/Article/4035893/
investing-in-people-to-enhance-leadership-excellence/

If the Army Leader Attributes answer the question “Who are you as a leader?”, then the Army Leader Competencies answer a different—and equally important—question:

“What are you actually doing as a leader?”

Leadership is not a title, a rank, or a personality trait. In the Army, leadership is defined by action. The
Leader Competencies provide a clear, observable framework for what effective leaders must consistently do to build teams and accomplish the mission.

These competencies apply far beyond military formations. Teachers, coaches, administrators, and business leaders will recognize them immediately—because great leadership looks the same in every profession.

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What Are the Army Leader Competencies?

The Army organizes leadership action into three core competencies:

1. Leads

2. Develops

3. Achieves

Together, they form the behavioral side of the Army Leadership Model. While attributes describe internal qualities, competencies describe deliberate, repeatable actions leaders must take.

Strong leaders balance all three. Neglecting even one creates gaps in trust, performance, or long-term success.

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Leads: Influencing and Guiding Others

The first competency focuses on how leaders influence people and provide direction.

Leads Others

Leaders set the tone. They communicate purpose, establish expectations, and motivate people toward shared goals.

In civilian life, this looks like:

• Clearly communicating priorities

• Setting standards and enforcing them consistently

• Modeling professionalism and ethical behavior

Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash

People follow clarity more than charisma.

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Extends Influence Beyond the Chain of Command

Leadership does not stop at formal authority.

Effective leaders build relationships, collaborate across teams, and influence outcomes even when they don’t “own” the problem.

This is critical in:

• Schools working across departments

• Coaching staffs coordinating roles

• Businesses operating in matrixed organizations

Influence is built on credibility and trust—not position.

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Leads by Example

This is where leadership becomes visible.

Leaders are always on display. Their work ethic, attitude, and behavior signal what is acceptable.

When leaders:

• Show up prepared

• Stay calm under pressure

• Admit mistakes

• Treat people with respect

Others follow suit.

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Communicates

Leadership lives and dies on communication.

Strong leaders:

• Share information early

• Listen actively

• Clarify intent

• Reduce uncertainty

Poor communication creates friction. Clear communication creates momentum.

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Develops: Building People and Organizations

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The second competency ensures leaders aren’t just producing results today—but building capacity for tomorrow.

Creates a Positive Environment

Leaders shape culture whether they mean to or not.

Positive environments are:

• Safe

• Disciplined

• Trust-based

• Accountable

People perform better where they feel respected and supported.

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Develops Others

Leadership is multiplication, not accumulation.

Developing others includes:

• Coaching

• Mentoring

• Providing feedback

• Creating growth opportunities

Leaders who hoard knowledge weaken the organization. Leaders who develop people strengthen it.

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Stewards the Profession

This means leaving the organization better than you found it.

In civilian terms, stewardship looks like:

• Upholding ethical standards

• Protecting organizational values

• Preparing future leaders

• Caring about long-term success, not just short-term wins

Stewardship separates managers from leaders.

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Achieves: Getting Results

The final competency is about execution.

Leadership without results is just talk.

Gets Results

Effective leaders:

• Prioritize correctly

• Manage time and resources

• Hold people accountable

• Adjust when plans change

They focus effort where it matters most.

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Balances Mission and People

Achieving is not about burning people out.

Strong leaders:

• Push for excellence

• Protect their team

• Sustain performance over time

Results matter—but how you get them matters just as much.

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Why the Leader Competencies Matter

The Army Leader Competencies ensure leadership is:

• Observable

• Teachable

• Assessable

• Repeatable

They prevent leadership from becoming vague or personality-driven. Instead, they provide a professional standard for action.

When paired with strong leader attributes, these competencies allow leaders to:

• Build trust

• Develop strong teams

• Navigate complexity

• Accomplish missions

• Sustain organizations over time

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Final Thought

Leadership is not about intentions—it’s about impact.

The Army Leader Competencies give leaders a clear answer to the question, “Am I actually leading?” They remind us that leadership requires influence, investment in people, and consistent execution.

If you want to grow as a leader:

• Lead with clarity

• Develop others intentionally

• Achieve results responsibly

That’s leadership that lasts.

Teach. Coach. Lead.
JVD

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Sources & Credits

The Army Leader Competencies are defined in U.S. Army doctrine, including FM 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession, which outlines the Army Leadership Requirements Model and the competencies of Leads, Develops, and Achieves.

This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.

The Army Leader Attributes: A Blueprint for Leadership

Leadership is often reduced to skills—how well someone speaks, plans, or manages tasks. But the Army has long understood a deeper truth:

Before leaders can do leadership (VERB), they must be leaders (NOUN).

https://www.ncolcoe.army.mil/News/Article/4035893/
investing-in-people-to-enhance-leadership-excellence/

That belief is captured in the Army Leader Attributes, the internal qualities that shape how leaders think, act, and grow. These attributes apply to soldiers in combat—but they are just as relevant for teachers, coaches, administrators, executives, and anyone responsible for leading people.

The Army brraks leader attributes into three categories:

• Character
• Presence
• Intellect

Together, they form the foundation of effective leadership.

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What Are the Army Leader Attributes?

Army Leader Attributes are the core internal qualities that influence behavior, decision-making, and leadership effectiveness. They are rooted in the Army Values (LDRSHIP) and support the Army Leadership Model, which focuses on what leaders do (Leads, Develops, Achieves).

In simple terms:

Attributes are who you are.
Competencies are what you do.

Without strong attributes, leadership actions lack credibility and consistency.

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Character: The Moral and Ethical Foundation

Character is the backbone of leadership. It defines how a leader behaves when no one is watching and how they make decisions under pressure.

Character is built on several key elements.

Army Values (LDRSHIP)

The seven Army Values guide behavior and decision-making:

• Loyalty
• Duty
• Respect
• Selfless Service
• Honor
• Integrity
• Personal Courage

These values provide clarity when situations are complex or uncomfortable. They answer the question, “What is the right thing to do?”

Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash

Empathy

Empathy allows leaders to understand the perspectives, emotions, and experiences of others. It does not eliminate standards—it strengthens relationships and trust.

Leaders who practice empathy:

• Communicate more effectively
• Reduce conflict
• Build stronger teams
• Improve morale and performance

Warrior / Service Ethos

This reflects a deep commitment to the profession and the mission. In civilian life, this translates to pride in your role, responsibility to others, and dedication to excellence.

Discipline and Humility

Discipline is self-control—doing what needs to be done even when it’s hard.
Humility is recognizing that leadership is service, not status.

Together, they keep leaders grounded and credible.

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Presence: The Impression You Make Every Day

Presence is how leaders are perceived by others. Whether intentional or not, leaders are always sending signals.

Presence includes:

Professional Bearing

This is reflected in appearance, demeanor, and conduct. It communicates seriousness, respect, and reliability.

In any profession, leaders set the tone. People notice how leaders carry themselves long before they hear what they say.

Fitness

Fitness is not just physical—it is mental and emotional readiness.

Fit leaders:

• Manage stress effectively
• Maintain energy and focus
• Remain calm under pressure
• Endure challenges without breaking

A leader who cannot sustain themselves cannot sustain a team.

Confidence and Resilience

Confidence reassures others.
Resilience keeps leaders moving forward after setbacks.

Leaders don’t need to have all the answers—but they must project stability and determination when things go wrong.

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Intellect: How Leaders Think

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Intellect shapes how leaders understand problems and make decisions. It is the engine behind adaptability and sound judgment.

Key aspects include:

Mental Agility

The ability to think flexibly and adapt to changing conditions.

Mentally agile leaders:

• Adjust plans quickly
• Learn from mistakes
• Avoid rigid thinking
• Stay effective in uncertainty

Sound Judgment

Judgment is the ability to make timely, ethical, and effective decisions. It comes from experience, reflection, and a strong moral foundation.

Innovation

Innovation is the willingness to think creatively and improve systems. It does not mean reckless change—it means thoughtful improvement.

Interpersonal Tact

This is the ability to work with people respectfully and effectively, especially in difficult conversations.

Leaders with strong interpersonal tact build trust without sacrificing standards.

Expertise

Expertise provides credibility. Leaders must know their profession, continue learning, and remain competent in their field.

People follow leaders who know what they’re doing.

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Why the Army Leader Attributes Matter

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The Army Leader Attributes form the foundation for everything leaders do. They support the Army Leadership Model’s core competencies:

• Leads – influencing and guiding others
• Develops – building people and organizations
• Achieves – accomplishing the mission

Attributes are developed over time through experience, reflection, feedback, and intentional growth.
They enable leaders to build trust, guide teams through uncertainty, and achieve results without sacrificing character.

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Final Thought

Leadership isn’t built on charisma alone. It’s built on character, presence, and intellect—qualities that show up every day, especially when things are difficult.

The Army Leader Attributes offer a clear, time-tested framework for anyone who wants to lead with integrity, confidence, and competence.

If you want to grow as a leader, don’t start with tactics.
Start with who you are.

Teach. Coach. Lead.
JVD

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Sources & Credits

The Army Leader Attributes are outlined in U.S. Army doctrine, including FM 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession, which defines the Army Leadership Requirements Model and the attributes of Character, Presence, and Intellect.

This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.

TEWTs: How an Army Training Method Can Transform Civilian Leadership

Photo by 愚木混株 Yumu on Unsplash

The Army is known for its discipline, planning, and ability to execute under pressure. But one of the most underrated tools the Army uses to build confident, adaptive leaders doesn’t involve a single soldier firing a weapon or stepping onto a training range.

It’s called a Tactical Exercise Without Troops, or TEWT.

A TEWT is simple:
You walk leaders through a scenario on the ground, in the actual terrain, without the full unit present. No troops. No equipment. No chaos. Just leaders, a map, and a problem to solve.

It helps leaders visualize, think, rehearse, and prepare before the real mission begins.

Here’s the best part:
TEWTs aren’t just for military operations.
They are a powerful tool for business teams, schools, coaches, and any organization facing complex challenges.

Let’s break it down.

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What Is a TEWT?

A Tactical Exercise Without Troops is a leadership-focused walkthrough in the real environment where a task or mission will take place.

The Army uses TEWTs to:

• Review terrain
• Run leaders through contingencies
• Identify blind spots
• Practice communication
• Walk step-by-step through a mission before executing it

It is the perfect blend of planning and reality.

Now let’s translate that into the civilian world.

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Why TEWTs Matter Outside the Military

Civilian leaders deal with complexity, too:

• Tight timelines
• High-pressure events
• Competing priorities
• New initiatives
• Personnel challenges
• Operational uncertainty

And just like military leaders, civilian leaders benefit from seeing the environment before they execute.

A TEWT is essentially a “practice run” for leaders—without the risk, cost, or stress of real-time consequences.

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TEWTs for Educators

Teachers, administrators, and school leaders can use TEWTs to prepare for:

• Fire drills and safety protocols
• First-day-of-school procedures
• Testing logistics
• Parent-night events
• Building evacuations
• Assemblies and hallway flow
• Sub procedures
• Field trips

Example:
Walk through how students will enter, where backup materials are stored, how the transitions will work, and what happens if technology fails.

A TEWT turns chaos into confidence.

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TEWTs for Coaches

Photo by Jeffrey F Lin on Unsplash

Coaches can use TEWTs for:

• Game-day field walkthroughs
• Special teams rehearsals
• Practice organization
• Facility layouts
• Travel and pregame logistics
• Weather contingencies

Example:
Walk the field to see sightlines, spacing, how the wind is blowing, where communication will happen, and what adjustments may be needed.

This gives players a smoother, calmer experience—and gives coaches far fewer surprises.

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TEWTs for Business Leaders

This is where TEWTs become incredibly powerful.

Business teams can use TEWTs before:

• Large presentations
• Conferences
• New product rollouts
• Customer visits
• Hiring events
• Crisis-response rehearsals
• Company-wide meetings
• Office redesigns
• Big launches

A TEWT in business is simply:

Walk the space.
Review the plan.
Talk through contingencies.
Check the friction points.
Fix problems before they happen.

Executives use TEWTs to:

• Reduce risk
• Improve clarity
• Strengthen communication
• Prepare teams for success
• Predict challenges before they escalate

It’s like conducting a “ground rehearsal” before going live.

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Why TEWTs Work Everywhere

1. They expose problems early.

You see what won’t work before the stakes are high.

2. They build leader confidence.

Leaders rehearse decisions in the real environment, not a conference room.

3. They improve team coordination.

Everyone sees the same space, same obstacles, same plan.

4. They reduce confusion.

Clarity replaces assumption.

5. They strengthen mission readiness.

Teachers, coaches, and business leaders can apply TEWTs to anything involving people, space, timing, or complex tasks.

In short:
TEWTs save time, reduce stress, and increase performance.

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Final Thought

The Army doesn’t use TEWTs because they’re convenient.
They use them because they work.

Whether you’re preparing a classroom, a locker room, or a boardroom, a TEWT gives you clarity before the chaos. It helps you predict problems, strengthen communication, and build confidence in your team.

Walk the space.
Talk through the task.
Identify the friction.
Fix it early.

A few minutes of TEWT saves hours of stress.
Plus, it's really funny to say!

Teach.
Coach.
Lead. 

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Sources & Credits

TEWTs (Tactical Exercises Without Troops) are outlined in Army leadership, operations, and training doctrine, including ATP 3-21.8 and FM 7-0. Interpretations here translate TEWT concepts for civilian leadership, education, coaching, and organizational planning.

This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.