Words Matter – Shape The Story With Marcus Jannitto

Brigadier General Marcus Jannitto, USAF (ret) is passionate about making people think differently about leadership.

Marcus is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach for Leadership Rhode Island and works with businesses and non-profit agencies to increase their leadership capacity. As an Air National Guardsman, Brigadier General Jannitto not only accumulated 5200 flying hours and more than 50 combat missions in the C-130 aircraft as a veteran of numerous deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bosnia, but he also has an impressive record with 35 years of coaching volleyball and soccer at the high school and NCAA level.

He recently served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Adjutant General for the Rhode Island National Guard. Before retiring he served on the Air National Guard’s Strategic Planning System steering committee and on the Chief of the National Guard Bureau’s Joint Diversity Executive Council. He was the Director of the Air National Guard Commanders Development Course, a 9-day leadership course for new Group and Wing commanders.  Today he conducts leadership workshops nationwide for the Air Force, Army, and National Park Service and works with local high school and college athletic teams on peer leadership, team culture, and captain development

In this podcast, we review and unwind this powerful quote from Marshall Field, entitled the “Sheperd Idea”:

“To do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way; to do some things better than they were ever done before; to eliminate errors; to know both sides of the question; to be courteous; to be an example; to work for the love of work; to anticipate requirements; to develop resources; to recognize no impediments; to master circumstances; to act from reason rather than the rule, and to be satisfied with nothing short of perfection.”

Key Leadership Takeaways:

  • Words matter. The ability of a leader to communicate and INSPIRE can and will make a difference to your team.
  • “Doing the right thing”- have you discovered what “right” really looks like? Do you educate your team on what “right” is?
  • “Do things better than ever before”- How do you (as a leader)instill in your people to continue to grow and be better every day?
  • “Know both sides of the question”- Perception is dangerous from a leader’s perspective. The truth generally lies in the middle, so take the time to learn the whole story.
  • “Be courteous”- The idea of being intentional. It is not only about courtesy, but the intentional focus of professionalism.
  • “The love of work”-find a passion, enjoy what you do
  • “Anticipate requirements”- think one or two levels above you. place yourself in those above you and anticipate the need.
  • “Recognize NO impediments”- do not let things stand in the way! Be a solutions-based leader.
  • “To master circumstances”- victim or victor? Which one are you?
  • “Act from reason rather than the rule”- have a sense of when you can apply common sense when leading
  • BONUS **Read the quote again and take action! BE< KNOW< DO!

Iron Sharpens Iron Movement – Resources:

Marcus Jannitto on LinkedIn

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