I’ve actually written on this before, without the prompt. It took me about 7 years in the Marines to figure this one out. I mean, for years, I thought I was a good leader.
Then I was promoted to staff sargeant. Then my eyes were opened over the next few years. The problem, you see, is that leaders must make decisions. Leaders must be good at organizing a staff. And yes, sometimes leaders must say or do things that are not popular in order to accomplish goals that some don’t like. Moreover, the leader must make it appear that decisions coming from above are his.
Finally, when things don’t go right, no matter who is at fault, the good leader steps forward and completely takes responsibility.
I have seen bad leaders quickly point the finger and say, “It’s not my fault. I didn’t do it. Old Joe must be at fault.”
Then again, if someone were to give me that excuse today, I’d believe him. In this case, Old Joe’s always messing up. And, by the way, he’s always quick to point his finger at someone else.
There are many characteristics of a good leader. Truly, objectively, I just don’t see any of them in Old Joe, certainly not honesty, the very most important one. Certainty not knowledge, another one of those big ones.
While I do have some of the characteristics, I lack one thing. I hate making decisions, especially one that effects others. Since leaving the Marines, I have avoided positions of leadership. I learned my lesson.
bfrhodes99 
Interesting that you recognize what makes a good leader. I spent 21 years in the Army, leadership came naturally to me. I enjoyed the challenge. I was even cross assigned to a composite unit, all four main branches. Leading Marines was a challenge, especially “Stop running at the bullets!” After a while they listened, and we did some great work.
I think that maybe being a leader outside the Marines may be different for you. It’s not life and death.
Your story really highlights the true challenges of being a leader. It’s not just about making decisions but also about owning the outcomes, whether good or bad. I respect how you’ve shared the hard realities of leadership, especially how some avoid responsibility while others face it head-on. It made me reflect on my own experiences—leadership can feel heavy when decisions affect others. I’m curious, what was the toughest decision you had to make during your time as a leader? The lessons you’ve shared here carry a lot of value and give plenty to think about.