Al Gray changed a lot of things in the Marine Corps. The Washington Post described him as “the pitbull general†because of the way he went about his job after he was appointed Commandant in 1987.
General Gray thought that the Marine Corps mission was about fighting wars. To accent that he had his official portrait taken in the Marines’ daily working uniform, the only Commandant to do so. He also thought reading was important.
“I firmly believe that professional reading is essential to the professional growth of our leaders.â€
Use a reading list as a leadership development tool
He didn’t stop with just “firmly believing.†General Gray instituted the first Commandant’s Reading List for all Marines. Subsequent Commandants have made changes to the list and today it consists of three parts.
There are three Commandant’s Choice books about the Corps and about the US Constitution. There are other reading lists for each grade (rank) in the Marines. And there are lists by “category.†Categories are specific topics, like “The Roots of Maneuver Warfare.†In the private sector these would be equivalent of books on topics like marketing or on a specific industry.
Reading as a leadership development requirement
Reading is not a suggestion for Marines. The announcement of this year’s list says it this way.
“Each Marine shall read a minimum of three books from the Commandant’s Choice or Grade Level sections each year.”
That’s not all. Reading is considered when drawing up a Marine’s fitness report, the equivalent of a performance evaluation in the private sector.
Is reading part of your leadership development program?
Creating a reading list seems to me like a relatively inexpensive way to improve your leadership development. As a bonus, you would give leaders all over your company a common frame of reference. What do you think?
