JoRusin.com

JoRusinLeadership

Leadership

How can the experiences of this old soldier help you excel as a leader?

In her many years as a leader, Colonel Jo Rusin has faced nearly every leadership challenge imaginable from going to war to firing an outspoken, disruptive volunteer. Difficult team members, bad bosses, and developing your team and your leaders are nothing new. Human nature and the value of sound, experienced leadership don’t change. Only the names and faces are new. In easy-to-read, concise style, spiced with hundreds of compelling examples, her leadership books cut to the chase. You don’t need as many years of service as a leader (or as many grey hairs) as Colonel Jo Rusin now has to learn the inside secrets of success as a leader.

Click here to learn more about Colonel Jo Rusin, US Army Retired,
and why is she important to you and your organization.

A Story on Leadership

Colonel Rusin’s first command was a company at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) that had major disciplinary and racial problems. This was the first, but not the last, time that she took a command, when others told her don’t do it. She soon learned that her first sergeant, who had basically segregated the barracks, was a big part of the problem. When she overheard the first sergeant tell a soldier during the Commander’s Open Door period, “The commander is too busy to talk with you.” she knew she had a problem. The first sergeant didn’t respond favorably to counseling and ultimately retired. As she looked for a new first sergeant, the supervisors of the only available master sergeant said that he got involved in too much and asked too many questions. After investigation, she asked to have him assigned as her company first sergeant. She and the new first sergeant corrected the problems and turned the company around. The first sergeant went on to be selected for command sergeant major, ultimately serving as the command sergeant major for WRAMC. Colonel Rusin learned early to take a chance on leaders, who had the skills and the courage to stand up for soldiers on their team.