Napoleon Hill
The situation is there. Meet it. It is better to do something and do the
wrong thing than to hesitate, hunt around for the right thing to do and
wind up by doing nothing at all. And, having decided on a line of
action, stick to it. Don't vacillate. Men have no confidence in an
officer who doesn't know his own mind.
Occasionally you will be called upon to meet a situation, which no reasonable human being could anticipate. If you have prepared yourself to meet other emergencies, which you could anticipate, the mental training you have thereby gained will enable you to act promptly and with calmness. You must frequently act without orders from higher authority.
Time will not permit you to wait for them. Here again enters the importance of studying the work of officers above you. If you have a comprehensive grasp of the entire situation and can form an idea of the general plan of your superiors, that and your previous emergency training will enable you to determine that the responsibility is yours and to issue the necessary orders without delay. The element of personal dignity is important in military leadership.
Be the friend of your men, but do not become their intimate. Your men should stand in awe of you - not fear!
If your men presume to become familiar it is your fault, and not theirs. Your actions have encouraged them to do so. And, above all things, don't cheapen yourself by courting their friendship or currying their favor. They will despise: you for it.
If you are worthy of their loyalty and respect and devotion they will surely give all these without asking. If you are not, nothing that you can do will win them. It is exceedingly difficult for an officer to be dignified while wearing a dirty, spotted uniform and a three days' stubble of whiskers on his face. Such a man lacks self-respect, and self-respect is an essential of dignity.
There may be occasions when your work entails dirty clothes and an unshaved face. Your men all look that way. At such times there is ample reason for your appearance. In fact, it would be a mistake to look too clean - they would think that you were, not doing your share. But as soon as this unusual occasion has passed set an example for personal neatness.
And then I would mention courage.
Moral courage you need as well as mental courage - that kind of moral courage which enables you to adhere without faltering to a determined course of action, which your judgment has indicated is the one best suited to secure the desired results. You will find many times, especially in action, that, after having issued your orders to do a certain thing, you will be beset by misgivings and doubts; you will see, or think you see, other and better means for accomplishing the object sought.