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FROM THE FIELD

18th Financial Support Center Director Col. Kevin Pierce (center) shakes hands with National Bank of Kuwait Assistant
General Manager Hamad Al-Shakhs (far left) as Sgt. Maj. Stephanie Ellis (left) shakes hands with NBK Relationship Officer
Talal Q. Yousef Al-Qatami (far right) during a key leader engagement in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Jan. 25, 2023. The

engagement concentrated on new capabilities to provide operational flexibility in funding the U.S. Central Command
theater.

The Making of a Non-Commissioned Officer by SSG
Alisha A. Gonzalez, 36B SLC, 003-21

Introduction

Great leaders are students of leadership and are constantly evolving and adapting to those whom
they lead. The important qualities of an outstanding leader are constant growth and personal
development, being a servant leader, and giving trust and respect. They emulate the ability to
adopt change and are stewards of being a servant leader. From person to person, leadership
looks differently. No two styles are the same, so while someone is developing their leadership
style, they take from the people who have been a mentor to them in the past. Not every person
who has authority over others exhibits good behaviors. Through negative behavior, Soldiers and
Leaders learn lessons. Leaders earn trust and respect, and building on that foundation with peers
and subordinates requires consistency. It takes more than a day to develop great leaders.
Although some people have natural leadership, it does not exempt them from continuing to grow.
U.S. Army Soldiers with the 18th Financial Support Center join members of the National Bank of Kuwait for a group photo
during a key leader engagement in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Jan. 25, 2023. The engagement concentrated on new capabilities
Growth and Development
to provide operational flexibility in funding the U.S. Central Command theater.
Growth as a leader comes with self-reflection, willingness to receive constructive criticism, and
taking experiences from others to incorporate and build on. Self-reflection requires a person to
have introspection when situations arise. Internally those persons may seek to understand how
to address situations from various perspectives. This applies to all ends of the spectrum
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throughout your leadership career; not every encounter will be a walk in the park. When faced
with adversity, it gives a person an opportunity to cultivate a chance to evaluate the
circumstances of each instance. Individuals trying to better themselves value constructive