Gen. Peter Pace, USMC (Ret.)

While we all understand that the boss has a responsibility to lead an organization’s employees, rarely do we focus on the employees’ responsibility to lead the boss. In addition to mentoring and motivating their subordinates, truly effective leaders value the perspective of all members of the team and encourage subordinates to lead up – to share information up the chain of command in a way that helps an organization’s leaders make timely, accurate decisions.

A master at serving many masters, Pace demonstrates how to think through the consequences of multiple competing priorities, see the bigger picture and communicate that strategic analysis up the chain in a way that is clear, precise and useful. In fact, Michael Useem, Director of the Center for Leadership and Change Management at the Wharton School devotes a chapter to Pace in his book, Leading Up, highlighting Pace’s efforts to reconcile the conflicting priorities of six bosses by keeping them well informed and challenging their instructions when necessary.

Amid today’s fragile global economy, corporate restructuring is commonplace, as managers and leaders are continuously challenged to do more with less. In this inspiring discussion, General Pace shares insights and personal examples about leading in both directions, to include:

• Embracing the job you didn’t want
• Determining who ‘owns’ a decision – and then making it!
• Navigating between the organization’s vision and your own personal goals
• Speaking up in a way that challenges assumptions but not authority
• Listening to subordinates and encouraging differing points of view
• Checking your moral compass and preparing for ethical decisions before they arrive