Taking the Guidon: Exceptional Leadership at the Company Level [Paperback]

Nate Allen (Author), Tony Burgess (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2001

Significance of the title: The unit guidon serves to identify the unit, is a symbol of the commander's authority and presence, and represents the collective pride and spirit of all soldiers--past and present--who have served under it. Historically, the guidon accompanied the commander into battle where, in the heat and confusion of the close fight, it emboldened and rallied the soldiers to accomplish the mission. Today, the unit guidon continues to be an honored symbol of the commander's authority and responsibility, and it connects the valorous deeds of past warriors with today's soldiers who continue the proud tradition of selfless service to our Nation. An Army unit conducts a change-of-command ceremony whenever a new commander takes charge. The central rite of this ceremony is the passing of the unit guidon from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. By taking the guidon, the new commander signals his or her selfless commitment to the traditions, values, and soldiers that the guidon represents. We wrote this book to capture our ideas about how to best prepare for and command a U.S. Army company-level unit. In the book, we lay out a leadership framework that was effective for us and, based on feedback from hundreds of readers, is making a significant difference in how others think about leading. One of the best things that emerged out of this project was the idea for creating the Company Command (CC.army.mil) and Platoon Leader forums (PL.army.mil), but that is another story. Here is an excerpt from the preface that introduces the book: Combat is the ultimate team sport; the cost of losing is death. As an Army leader, your mission is to build a winning team of disciplined, fit, and motivated soldiers that will accomplish the mission. In this book, you will find some input into to the age-old dialogue on how to create a team and harness its energy to accomplish uncommon results. Leading soldiers is our inspiration; doing so has affected every part of our lives. To begin with, the knowledge that we would command a company motivated us to prepare doggedly for command. This book is a compilation of our research and thinking, validated by experience (both success and failure!). It is not meant to be prescriptive in nature; nor will all these ideas work for you and your situation. Rather, our intent is to spark your thinking and encourage you as you prepare for command. We were fortunate to work with and watch some great leaders in action and to learn from some challenging experiences. Now we are in a position to pass on some of what we have learned. Our desire is that reading this book motivates and challenges you while you prepare for and execute the most honorable mission in the world--leading American soldiers!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Taking the Guidon is an absolute must read for all young officers preparing for company command. -- MG (Retired) John G. Meyer, Jr., Author of Company Command: The Bottom Line

This book is a significant contribution to the Army's most important bottom line: combat-ready leadership. -- Ed Ruggero, Co-author, FM 22-100 Army Leadership and Duty First: West Point and the Making of American Leaders

This is a brief, well-written primer on command that is a must for those aspiring to command a company. -- Roger Cirillo, AUSA Book Program, April 2002

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: The Center for Company-Level Leadership (May 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967829216
• ISBN-13: 978-0967829210
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive manual for a successful command, December 29, 2002

By 

George I. Corbari "Coach Corbari" (West Point, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taking the Guidon: Exceptional Leadership at the Company Level (Paperback)

There are three phases to command- Pre Command, Command and Post Command. Several years ago BG John Meyer Jr. gave us a guidebook for command. Now, Nate Allen and Tony Burgess have given us a comprehensive instruction manual preparing the new commander for command.

Taking the Guidon is a superb manuscript that should be required reading at every Captain's Career Course. This book is the natural extension of the enormously successful CompanyCommand.com website that serves to facilitate success in all three phases of command. Taking the Guidon provides great advice and solid guidelines enabling the soon to be commander to posture himself/herself AND their unit for success. The gold nuggets filling the pages of this book provide sound applicable strategies that when applied, will result in a more combat effective unit.

My copy is filled with notes in the margins, passages highlighted and pages dog-eared. My wife bought me a copy the week it was released; I bought my 1SG a copy before I took command. You want to be a successful commander- this book is a MUST READ!

Taking the Guidon offers strategies to develop your command philosophy, prepare for your change of command inventories, plan a vision and apply that vision to your training calendar and most importantly, this book offers tactics on how to get the most out of your unit. Ever wonder how to juggle all those glass balls- the secret is found in this book.

Some may find some of the content to be focused too much on the "touchy feely" stuff, I submit that you will have a tough time in command if you don't master that aspect of human relations. Today's soldiers require a different approach; the tools that Nate and Tony provide in this book can be applied universally to the air defender, infantryman, mechanic or cook. Sound approaches for a solid commander; approaches drawn from great leaders both military and civilian.

Get this book for yourself, get a copy for your 1SG as his initial counseling and get a copy for your XO as you send him/her off to CCC. Then after you complete command, go to the website and offer up your successful tips to other commanders and soon to be commanders. Your post command time can have even more impact than your time in command.

George Corbari
CPT, AD
Commanding

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right on target - after 2 commands, December 5, 2004

By 

Capt Gary Spivey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taking the Guidon: Exceptional Leadership at the Company Level (Paperback)

This book is right on target. I wish someone had shared this book with me. I have had 2 company commands and am currently in my 3rd. I commanded a line MP company, an MP DET (Confinement and PMO) and am now commanding a BDE HHC.

There is so much in this book I have had to learn or discover the hard way. While there may be a few "technical" details that have evolved since the writing of this book, it is 98% or more applicable to eveything I have seen and done.

I say ditto to everything in the first review. Get this book. For yourself, your PLs and your 1SG.

CPT Gary "John" Spivey

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wish I read this book a year ago, August 10, 2010

By 

Todd C. Keyser - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Taking the Guidon: Exceptional Leadership at the Company Level (Paperback)

I recently read Company Commander: The Bottom Line and this book compliments that book very well. I enjoyed reading a book about command written by two captains. Having also read several Stephen Covey books, I enjoyed how the book merged a variety of topics and leadership concepts into something truely unique.

I would highly recommend reading this book before taking command and not a year after taking command like I did.