And it’s not a new practice:
From Afghanistan to the Pentagon to the White House, this humble servant leader has always been clear that he serves the people, not vice versa.
In his first letter to the troops after his confirmation, Mattis made his servant-leadership philosophy clear.
“It’s good to be back and I’m grateful to serve alongside you as secretary of defense,” he said, according to Business Insider. Not manage, not direct. Serve. Alongside.
“He’s a leader by example,” said retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent. “He’s not the type that’s ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’ He’s out there doing it.”
Mattis’ humble attitude belies the fact that he’s tough as nails. Even former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who opposed having a military officer in the traditionally civilian post, said, “He’s a tough general, spoke the truth, was a good adviser. I trusted his defense judgment. And so I think he’s got, you know, a lot of qualities that are important to a secretary of defense job,” CBS News reported.