Successful leaders prepare for war by training and leading as they intend to fight. Leadership is the process of influencing others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Purpose gives soldiers a reason why they should do difficult things under dangerous, stressful circumstances. Direction shows what must be done. Through motivation, leaders give soldiers the will to do everything they are capable of doing to accomplish a mission.
Effective leaders use both direct and indirect influence to lead.
The four major factors of leadership are always present and affect the actions you should take and when you should take them. They are the led, the leader, the situation, and communications. The first major factor of leadership is those soldiers you are responsible for leading. All soldiers should not be led in the same way. For example, a soldier with a new job or task normally needs closer supervision than a soldier who is experienced at that same job or task.