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I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.2
I. Introduction
American culture is dominated by the lure of making money. People are always looking for new ways to become successful and wealthy. As this cash-first mindset has consumed the American public, many authors have thrived as they provide people with different blueprints for financial success. The theories and strategies in each book vary, but a consonant theme is that ultimately, to truly become wealthy, you must be a leader. You cannot follow; followers make money for other people. Leaders are the profiteers, the successful ones whom people long to be. In Primal Leadership, the authors argue that "[g]reat leadership works through emotions."3 Leaders must not only possess "emotional intelligence," which is the ability to understand how emotions impact people and performance, but must also learn to cultivate positivity.4 A great leader must have complete control of his emotions and foster a positive environment in the work place. Doing so will ultimately create the foundation for a successful venture because, quite simply, "[w]hen people feel good, they work at their best."5 Leaders who are able to connect with positive emotions create resonance in the workplace. Resonance is contagious, spreads easily, and creates a greater commitment to the leader's vision or mission.6 Though not a foolproof methodology, the theories contained in Primal Leadership are valuable tools that should be considered by all judge advocates. Nevertheless, judge advocates can just as easily turn to readily available Army publications on leadership that address this topic more thoroughly.7
II. Leadership Matters
Mastering leadership is the baseline of competency for a Soldier at any level; a Soldier may never know when he will be called upon to lead others in highly stressful situations. Primal Leadership provides some useful advice that judge advocates should consider when developing a leadership style from the moment they enter military service. While the authors do not provide an exact formula for success as a leader, they do stress that to be successful, leaders must exude positivity and empathy.
According to Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee, a successful leader must be competent in the four core domains of emotional leadership: "self-awareness, self-...