Responsibility in Leadership

One of the things that the Army teaches about leadership is how the multi-levels of leadership help move the organization. For example there are clear differences between officers and NCOs (which I was one of - a military police sergeant).

• Officers command, establish policy, and manage the Army while the NCOs conduct the daily business of the Army within established policy.
  
• Officers focus on collective training leading to mission accomplishment while NCOs focus on individual training that leads to mission capability.
  
• Officers are primarily involved with units and unit operation while NCOs are primarily involved with individual soldiers and team leading.
  
• Officers concentrate on unit effectiveness and readiness while NCOs ensure subordinates, along with their equipment, are prepared to function as effective unit members.
  
• Officers concentrate on the standards of performance, training, and professional development of officers and NCOs.

As you can see, in any organization you need those with vision and those with people ability. You need some leaders to keep the visions fresh while you need others to carry out the vision. Leadership takes on many different facets and no one person fits that bill. Imagine an officer without a good NCO by his side? Being biased on the side of NCOs, I know what we did and how much we were needed.

Notice, however, that both Officers and NCOs are defined as leaders. Their job descriptions may differ but overall responsibility does not.