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The U.S. Army's Eleven Leadership Principles

' Be tactically and technically proficient

' Know yourself and seek self-improvement

' Know your soldiers and look out for their welfare

' Keep your soldiers informed

' Set the example

' Ensure the task is understood, supervised and accomplished

' Train your soldiers as a team

' Make sound and timely decisions

' Develop a sense of responsibility in your subordinates

' Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities

' Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions

One of the key components of good management,good leadership and good teamwork is effective communication. That's why The Leadership Principle "Keep Your Soldiers Informed" can't be overstated.

In order for organizations to run well,its members have to know what's going on. Good leaders know this but great leaders actually do it.

In order for a job to get done correctly and on time, everyone needs to know the goals, expectations and accountabilitiesinvolved. But does this mean that a leader tells everything s/he knows? Of course not. It does mean however, that a good leader shares what they know when they can which should translate to mean ASAP (as soon as possible or practicable.)

The team/unit/subordinant needs to know that the leader can be trusted to make sure each person knows what's going on.It shows that the team is valued. If the leader keeps information close and doesn't share it or does so too late (or worse, the team gets the information elsewhere), trust in the leader will never develop. It follows then that as trust erodes so will the work product.

So,if you want your team to trust you and act upon your directives, be open and honest with each person. Leaders who make this part of their SOP(Standard Operating Procedure)will have a more productive,prepared and yes,informed unit!