Leadership Lessons from an OCS Infantry Hall of Fame Member: A Conversation with Lt. General (retired) James Ronald Helmly
Department
Management and Entrepreneurship
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2013
Abstract
An effective leader must have integrity and inspire. The importance of the character trait of integrity is epitomized in the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower: “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.” Organization success is best promoted when both individuals and groups are inspired to be and do their best. According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” Throughout his more than 40 year career in the US Army and the Department of Defense, Lieutenant General (retired) James Ronald Helmly led with integrity and was an inspiration to those with whom he served. General Helmly was Chief of the United States Army Reserve (USAR), and Commander, US Army Reserve Command from May, 2002 to May, 2006. In that position, he commanded over 200,000 United States Army Reserve troops. From 2006 through 2008, he served as the US Defense Department Representative to Pakistan. General Helmly entered the Army in 1968 as an enlisted soldier and received his officer’s commission through the Officer Candidate School (OCS). He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and is the recipient of numerous awards for service and valor. He was inducted into the OCS Infantry Hall of Fame in 1996. General Helmly has had considerable experience in leading both small and large groups of men and women.
Journal Title
Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship
Journal ISSN
2326-3709
Volume
18
Issue
4
First Page
94
Last Page
101
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.9774/GLEAF.3709.2013.oc.00008