Why Marines Never Use the “M Word” [Archive.org URL]

There is a word you’ll never hear a Marine Corps officer, sergeant, or drill instructor use – and that is, “Manage.” In fact the word is treated with such abhorrence, it is often referred to as the “M Word.” That’s because Marines are trained to lead, not to manage.

Now, to those of us who are managers, the distinction may not be so obvious. Here, then, are a few of the differences between “managing” and “leading,” as seen from the Marine Corps perspective.

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