POP LEADERSHIP: POWER OF POSITIVE

POP LEADERSHIP
FLTCM(SW/AW/SCW) Scott Benning

Power of Positive Leadership
Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning

Shipmates,
POP leadership is an initiative I created to support growing a positive culture throughout our
Navy. In all situations that we may be confronted with in life, there is a perceived positive or
negative impact. How you approach each of these situations can determine how you learn
from, adapt to, or overcome these challenges. I have learned that going forward with a
positive perspective has always enabled the greatest growth and success.
My hope is that you are able to utilize the POP Leadership principles to assist you in leading
forward with a renewed positive energy. The various Sailor Grams contain recommended
reading for you to consider that I have used to help shape me as a leader. As I often discuss in
my POP presentations; just as you are what you eat, you are also the type of leader in what
you read. Leadership growth is developed in many forms. It may be instruction in a
classroom, reading books, lessons from mentors, or personal experience. Each is important
and I would encourage you to consider each of these in your personal development and then
encourage you to make the time to pass your knowledge and experience on to others. “Sea
stories” is a term that has been under utilized during recent times in our navy. Those who
have served before us utilized sea stories as a key element in mentoring those of us who serve
today. I would like to ask that you honor our mentors by revitalizing the term sea stories and
then exercise this term in true fashion to help grow our future generation of leaders.
Never forget that positive is infectious. Also, always keep in mind that negative is infectious
as well. Leadership matters and how you lead will be reflected in those you lead. Ask
yourself, how am I perceived as a leader? Life is a learning experience, continue to learn and
continue to lead. We need your positive energy.
Best wishes to you and your team as you lead forward. Have a Great Navy Day Shipmates
and always remember to lead with a little POP!

– FLTCM Scott Benning

October 2010
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Sailor Gram
News you can use from Navy Total Force
Power Of Positive (POP) Leadership

“Leadership Growth and Development with POP”
Sharing stories of leadership experiences is a very important part of our culture of mentorship and active leadership learning. In
fact, in the Navy we have a title for these stories, they are called Sea Stories. As we all grow through life and service in our great
Navy we learn through many experiences. Each and every one of us from pay grade E-1 to O-10 is a leader and each of us has
developed leadership traits and various perspectives that when communicated to others effectively has a lesson that can be
learned by others.
POP Leadership has been the tool that I have used to communicate leadership traits and experiences in many venues and with
thousands of Sailors. Each engagement enables me to teach while also learning as I listen to their experiences as well. Over the
course of the next few months I will share various parts of POP Leadership through the Sailor Gram. Below you will see my
mission, vision, and the guiding principles that I use in sharing my sea stories. In the following editions I will speak to each guiding
principle. My hope is that you find these useful and learn through my experiences in the use of the Power of Positive Leadership
traits. Once you focus on the positive, both in life and in service as a leader in our great Navy, you will find it can have a life
changing affect that will drive you to also have the passion to teach leadership. As always, I look forward to your feedback and the
opportunity to engage and learn. Thank you for all you do in leading throughout our great navy and always have a Great Navy Day!

---FLTCM Benning, Navy Total Force/ MPT&E Fleet Master Chief

POP Leadership – The Mission

To encourage all leaders in our great Navy to understand the importance, use, and demonstration of positive leadership
traits. At each level of leadership we understand our leadership expectations. For our Chiefs, the CPO Mission, Vision,
and Guiding Principles is what we expect of our Chief Petty Officers; POP Leadership provides a tool to execute those
expectations.

POP Leadership – The Vision

To create a culture in which our Sailors are growing professionally and personally due to the positive leadership and the
example projected by our leaders throughout the Navy.

Pop Leadership – Guiding Principles

1. Power of Positive
2. Passion with Compassion
3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment
5. Projecting a Positive Attitude
6. Success Education
7. Understanding Influence

Recommended reading: For additional information on POP Leadership visit the POP
Leadership Facebook page:
“Whale Done” The Power of Positive Relationships.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Power-Of-Positive-
POP-Leadership/137179499649403?v=info
Authors: Ken Blanchard, Thad Lacinak, Chuck
Tompkins, and Jim Ballard Click on the info tab on the POP page for additional info

November 2010
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Sailor Gram

Guiding Principle number 1: Power of Positive
Principle 1. Power of Positive: Always remember those who have supported you through positive leadership and provided
you mentorship that has enabled your success. Bring this leadership trait forward by ensuring our Sailors are afforded the same
opportunities through effective leadership, education, and communication. The future success of our Navy depends directly on
how we execute and educate in the area of leadership and how we display this in our character on and off duty. Our Sailors will
replicate what they see in us as leaders as they are watching what we say and more importantly what we do 24/7/365.

Thought exercise: Take a moment to reflect on your past. Think of those who have enabled and inspired you. When was the
last time you sent them a note to say, thank you for the opportunities they provided to enable your growth and success?
Developing and enabling our Sailors technically, professionally, and personally is extremely important. One day each of us, as a
leader, will depart our great Navy and move on to other opportunities to serve. Leadership is not always about what you have
accomplished today. One day when we depart a successful career, it will be about the Sailors you led and how prepared they are
to lead forward without you. How often do you invest in our future leaders?

Engage and make a difference. Ask yourself, how does my command ensure leadership courses are conducted routinely and
with a commitment to learn from others who lead? If you see room for improvement, take the time to engage and become part of
growing the effectiveness of the education that is being provided. Our Sailors depend on leaders at all levels to enable their
growth through visual learning. Then exercise positive reinforcement with your Sailors. The Power of your Positive will enable
them to grow.


The POP mission is to encourage all leaders in our great Navy to understand the importance, use, and demonstration of
positive leadership traits. At each level of leadership we understand our leadership expectations. For our Chiefs, the
CPO Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles is what we expect of our Chief Petty Officers; POP Leadership provides a
tool to execute those expectations.
The POP vision is to create a culture in which our Sailors are growing professionally and personally due to the positive
leadership and the example projected by our leaders throughout the Navy.

3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment

“Developing the Leaders Around You”
Authors: John C. Maxwell
Click on the info tab on the POP page for additional info

December 2010
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Sailor Gram

Guiding Principle number 2: Passion with Compassion
Principle 2. Passion with Compassion: Exercise positive leadership by showing our Sailors how they are valued. Always
display a passion for what you do as leader by educating others on positive leadership traits. Develop in our Sailors today what
they will need in the future for success. Exercise and show compassion when a shipmate is in need of assistance. This is the
time they need their leader the most. How you support your Sailor during the hard times will develop trust and loyalty. Invest time
in your Sailors and ensure you know them so that they feel confident that they can reach out to you. Exercise loyalty and
professionalism at all times, on and off duty. Our Sailors are always watching their leaders, on and off duty.

Thought exercise: Think about those you lead for a moment. Do they feel comfortable being able to come to you with
problems they are dealing with at work or in life? How do you engage them through your communications so that they feel
confident that they can come to you? Leadership is more about listening and enabling those you serve than it is about just telling
people what to do. If a Sailor is struggling with a professional or personal issue this may be restricting their ability to perform.
Understand the importance of developing trust and loyalty with your Sailors so that they are motivated to support you in the
mission they are charged with to complete.

Engage and make a difference. Take an active role in educating our Sailors on the many educational opportunities and
resources, such as the Fleet and Family Service Centers, that are available to them and their families. As you educate our Sailors
you make them stronger leaders as well. As you grow each Sailor forward and as you show them that you care about their future
and success, your team will also strengthen. Keep focused on the positive and provide them to the tools to excel.



3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment

“Lincoln On Leadership” Author: Donald T. Phillips
Note that Part 1 is “People”; Section 1 is “Get out of the
office and Circulate Among the Troops.” Click on the info tab on the POP page for additional info

January 2011
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Sailor Gram

Guiding Principle number 3: Pride Projection
Principle 3. Pride Projection: Read books on our heritage and then discuss them with our Sailors. Let them see that you are
proud of our rich naval heritage and they will emulate what they see. They are evaluating your professionalism, character, and
sense of heritage 24 hours a day. Never forget our Sailors want to be like you. Are you satisfied that you are the type of leader
you want our Sailors to be like?

Thought exercise: During Chief Petty Officer Induction each year, our newest Chiefs are tasked with doing a book review.
What value do we gain from this when they brief the CPO Mess? As you think about this, is it only important to emphasize our
heritage in the CPO Mess or should we grow this pride throughout our commands and ask the same of our Sailors?

Engage and make a difference. What do you do to ensure our naval heritage is displayed throughout your command? If your
command has a namesake, do we utilize this to motivate our Sailors? What visual and verbal messages are being used to inspire
success? Does the visual connect and is the verbal relevant to all who serve within your command to include our civilians?
Consider putting a working group together within your command to include ranges of pay grade, both Sailors and civilians. Have
them review this sometime very basic, but often times extremely important messaging for your command. How do you project
this pride throughout the unit and how do you get them to be a part of and be proud of the mission through these types of
communications?



3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment

“Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”

February 2011
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Sailor Gram

Guiding Principle number 4: Empowerment
Principle 4. Empowerment: Our Sailors seek the approval of you as their leader. It is important to provide each Sailor with the
opportunity to lead. As you show confidence in them, you are growing a very valuable tool; our future leaders. As they see that
you are developing their confidence, they will develop professionalism and loyalty towards you as trust and confidence are
developed in both directions. Never forget, our Sailors are watching you. Be the leader that you desire them to be for the future
of our navy.

Thought exercise: Reflect back to when you were a junior Sailor (Officer or Enlisted). How did your leaders help you in
development? Can you recall a time when a leader tasked and challenged you to grow? Can you recall what it felt like when they
expressed that you did a good job and how they encouraged you along the way? How did this make you feel? I bet this type of
support motivated you to want more with a stronger desire to excel.

Engage and make a difference. Our young Sailors today are amazing! They come to us with a higher level of education and
having met higher standards to enter our navy than ever before. We grow our Sailors professionally, personally and of course
technically to be leaders. Therefore, every Sailor is a leader and they need the opportunity to lead, even if for the smallest tasks
to enable them to grow and develop with your guidance and mentorship. Ensure you provide them daily task feedback with a
positive tone enabling them to see that you desire for them to continue to improve. As they grow in responsibility, they will
become a more productive member of your team which will strengthen the overall command and mission success. Our Sailors
are our most treasured resource; make sure they understand how much you appreciate their contributions.



3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment

“Encouragement Changes Everything”

March 2011
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Sailor Gram

Guiding Principle number 5: Projecting a Positive Attitude
Principle 5. Projecting a Positive Attitude: Always be proud of who you are and ensure your Sailors see this. On bad days
seek out a peer or a mentor to discuss the problems. Maintain both your physical and mental health so that your Sailors see the
power of your positive attitude. Be supportive and encourage our Sailors through active communication. Ensure you spend time
praising their efforts in public and always counsel in private. As you respect those you lead, they will develop respect for you.
Never forget that your Sailors desire the success that you have experienced. Ensure you are the type of leader our future
requires through self evaluation and feedback from your own leadership and mentors. Our Sailors need to value self evaluation
and mentorship and as you exercise this you are providing them a great example to emulate. Positive is infectious and so is
negative, which one will you project and which will your command, department, or division climate reflect?

Thought exercise: Reflect back in your career and life of the leaders you have experienced. Pick out one leader you enjoyed
working for and one leader that you did not enjoy. Write down the positive and negative traits of each leader. Have these leaders
impacted the way you lead today? Did you add some of the traits to your tool box and throw others away?

Engage and make a difference. All too often leaders have been seen pointing out a uniform discrepancy in a negative manner.
When you look around 99% are doing a great job. I challenge you to take a different approach, start providing positive comments
to those who are looking sharp and doing well. People appreciate and desire praise for a good effort. Reinforcing the desired
behavior with a positive comment can be infectious and get results. Negative feedback in public that is degrading only causes
one to lose respect. Confront them with POP and watch them smile, those that want your attention will pursue positive results.



3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment

“The Power of Nice”
Authors: Linda Kaplan and Robin Koval

April 2011
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Sailor Gram

Guiding Principle number 6: Success Education
Principle 6. Success Education: Educating Sailors in areas of concern do not always need to address negative situations.
Use success stories to show them how they can achieve success. If we discuss the negative, that may be all they understand. If
you want them to emulate a positive behavior you have to show them success to emulate. Whether professional or personal
situations, they need to see the good not the bad. Which do you want our Sailors to emulate?

Thought exercise: Think about the last training conducted on motorcycle safety, recreational safety, or drinking and driving.
What dominated the training? Was it the bad outcome pictures of bad decisions or did the training focus on tools for success?
Consider the positive tools provided by resources such as the Naval Safety Center or Fleet and Family Service Centers. How do
you utilize these resources? Work to shift your focus in material presented to those items that enable success.

Engage and make a difference. Talk to those you lead and tell them you care about their safety and well being. Just hearing
this can be the difference in a good or bad decision. Provide them the many tools that are available through past experiences that
enable success. If you desire to show negative outcomes, make them brief. Think of a good counseling session; start with a
positive, discuss the areas to improve, and then end on a positive. The same tact should be considered for training and educating
our Sailors. Start the training with why this topic is important and that you care about them and their families. If necessary
discuss negative outcomes in past situations. Then wrap up the discussion with tools you can use for success. They will respond
based on the way you connect with them. People enjoy positive and they all desire success. How will you help them see
success? I assure you that you can be a Difference Maker.



3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment

“The Difference Maker, Making Your Attitude Your
Greatest Asset”
Author: John C. Maxwell Click on the info tab on the POP page for additional info

April 2011
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Sailor Gram

Guiding Principle number 7: Understanding Influence
Principle 7. Understanding Influence: As you grow future leaders, ensure you are also supporting and growing those you
work for so that they too will grow. Discuss POP leadership with leaders 360 degrees around you to ensure your positive energy
can be felt by all. As you invest in others and provide a positive influence you are showing all leaders how their actions and
leadership can have a positive impact on others. Followership is also an important leadership trait to exhibit for others. You must
first understand the importance of following if you are expected to lead others through your influence. Understand that trust is not
given to you in a title, it is developed through the professional relationships that you have with those around you. Your actions
today can have a huge influence on the future when you understand that people enjoy positive.

Thought exercise: Think about a positive leader that you have followed during your career. Which of those traits do you now
carry? Think about a leader that you perceived as being a negative leader. What traits did you not take on in your leadership
style? Who did you learn more from in building who you are? You learned from both. Now which one did you enjoy working for
and which one did you want to be like? Easy questions, right? Do you think about this when you exercise your leadership?
Never underestimate the power of your positive influence with others. How do you want to be perceived as a leader? Do people
do what you say only because of your title or do you have to motivate, educate, and communicate to influence their actions?

Engage and make a difference. Read the recommended reading below, review John Maxwell’s “The Leader’s Daily Dozen”.
Engage your people through this daily review and watch how your emphasis on people and developing others will change lives
and grow your organization/team.



3. Pride Projection
4. Empowerment

“The 360 Degree Leader”
Author: John C. Maxwell

POP LEADERSHIP: POWER OF POSITIVE

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