The Eminently Qualified Leader
The only ideal to strive for.
In episode 174 of the Jocko Podcast, Jocko Willink reviews the evaluation system for the United States Marine Corps.
It's a rigorous system to evaluate the performance of a Marine. The Marine is rated on various attributes and then is grouped into one of five levels:
- Unsatisfactory
- A Qualified Marine
- One of the Many Highly Qualified Professionals
- One of the Few Exceptionally Qualified Marines
- The Eminently Qualified Marine
The highest level, The Eminently Qualified Marine, is near impossible to achieve.
The Marine Corps has a visual "Christmas tree" to estimate how many Marines fall into each level. A very small number of Marines are Unsatisfactory. Most are Qualified or Highly Qualified. Some are Exceptionally Qualified.
Only one is Eminently Qualified.
What does it mean to be eminently qualified?
To me, it means that you are qualified and capable of tackling any obstacle that gets in your way.
You can solve any problem. You are sought out for your expertise. You deliver on EVERY project. You have mastered it all.
An Eminently Qualified Human is a person who has achieved mastery in every facet of life. This person has reached their full potential in every measurable way. (Willink, 13)
Even if it's not attainable it's what we should strive for.
The Eminently Qualified Leader
I'm not a Marine and I haven't achieved mastery in all facets of life.
I'm an analytics manager trying to learn, grow, and improve as much as I can in my career.
I'm trying to become the best leader for my team, the best direct report my boss has ever had, and the best employee at my company.
I'm trying to build a level of skill and knowledge that will ensure I will be a top performer in any job, at any company, in any industry.
I'm trying to be so good that I'll never have a problem finding a job, holding a job, or excelling in a job.
I'm trying to become eminently qualified.
You should too.
References
Jocko Willink, Dave Berke, and Sarah Armstrong. 2020. The Code. The Evaluation. The Protocols. : Striving to Become an Eminently Qualified Human. Jocko Publishing.