Jill Morgenthaler is a retired military colonel who was able to climb up the career ladder despite the fact that it was quite challenging for her to advance in the 1970s and 1980s when women were viewed as incapable of leadership and inferior to men. The military reflected the society of the time. However, this colonel has many words of wisdom for both female and male leaders.

Leaders remove obstacles for their staff, and they make it easier for staff to do their jobs. Not everyone wants you to succeed; therefore, it is important to have confidence in yourself and to surround yourself with a support network. Surviving unreasonable people, especially when they supervise you, is definitely not an easy task, but it is possible. When subordinates try to dictate what you do, it is important to communicate the hierarchy to them. 

Innovate, demonstrate initiative, do your job well, and do not be intimidated by others. When opportunities arise that allow you to stretch yourself, take them. Even if you fear failure, it is important to persevere. Everyone is unique, and different management strategies work well with different people. People are more important than policies, but staff needs to do their jobs so that results can happen.

The Courage to Take Command: Leadership Lessons From a Military Trailblazer  by Jill Morgenthaler, 2015

I am not a huge fan of the military, but this book gave me a different and more specific perspective on the military and leadership. I liked the specific examples she gave of incidents that occurred with employees, and her responses to them. It was great to learn from a female leader what it takes to succeed.

• US Army 
• Jill Morgenthaler's web site
• Books about leadership
• Books about the military