Jerry's Blog

An original post by: Jamie Chapman

Several subordinates of General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander Pacific, created The MacArthur Tenets, based on the people-management traits they had observed in MacArthur.

The MacArthur Tenets:

• Do I heckle my subordinates or strengthen and encourage them?
• Do I use moral courage in getting rid of subordinates who have proven themselves beyond doubt to be unfit?
• Have I done all in my power by encouragement, incentive and spur to slave the weak and erring?
• Do I know by NAME and CHARACTER a maximum number of subordinates for whom I am responsible?  Do I know them intimately?
• Am I thoroughly familiar with the technique, necessities, objectives and administration of my job?
• Do I lose my temper at individuals?
• Do I act in such a way as to make my subordinates WANT to follow me?
• Do I delegate tasks that should be mine?
• Do I arrogate everything to myself and delegate nothing?
• Do I develop my subordinates by placing on each one as much responsibility as he can stand?
• Am I interested in the personal welfare of each of my subordinates, as if he were a member of my family?
• Have I the calmness of voice and manner to inspire confidence, or am I inclined to irascibility and excitability?
• Am I a constant example to my subordinates in character, dress, deportment and courtesy?
• Am I inclined to be nice to my superiors and mean to my subordinates?
• Is my door open to my subordinates?
• Do I think more of POSITION than JOB?
• Do I correct a subordinate in the presence of others?

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