After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Mark founded McMillion Leadership Associates, a company dedicated to delivering practical leadership training. But here’s the intriguing part: Mark returned to the program where it all began—West Virginia’s Premier Leadership Academy. As a West Point graduate, he had received unparalleled training in leadership, and now he was sharing those insights with the citizens of the program. His passion for developing effective leaders led him back to the very place where he honed his own skills. Mark’s mantra? “50% of great leadership is knowing when to get out of the way.” And he’s living proof that leadership isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about building trust, loyalty, and respect. So, whether in combat zones or classrooms, Mark McMillion continues to shape leaders who make a difference
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Mark McMillion is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience, honing his leadership skills in diverse environments across the globe. As a graduate of West Point, he received unparalleled training in the art of leadership. With a strong foundation in engineering, Mark understands the importance of data-driven decision-making. His extensive military career included assignments in Germany, Norway, and two combat tours in Iraq, where he held various leadership positions.
Mark firmly believes that true leadership extends beyond giving orders or disciplinary actions. Building mutual trust, loyalty, and respect for others are essential qualities for effective leadership in any setting. Throughout his career, he held pivotal roles such as platoon leader, West Point assistant professor, battalion executive officer, and exercise planner for NATO. Each experience contributed significantly to his personal growth and leadership development.
Working alongside exceptional sergeants as a platoon leader, Mark learned that leading great teams often involves providing them with the necessary resources and allowing them to thrive independently. He often emphasizes that “50% of great leadership is knowing when to get out of the way,” while acknowledging that the remaining 50% can be more challenging. Mark has adeptly navigated complex leadership situations, gaining invaluable expertise along the way.
During his tenure at West Point as an instructor, Mark refined his presentation skills and took pride in shaping future Army leaders. He eagerly awaits the day when one of his former cadets acknowledges how their time at West Point profoundly influenced their rise to the presidency.
As the second-in-command of an artillery battalion, Mark assumed comprehensive responsibility for all aspects of the unit. Whether overseeing the maintenance of over 225 combat vehicles or mentoring young officers, he played a crucial role in preparing the unit for its next combat deployment.
His time at NATO provided him with a deep appreciation for the value of diversity. Collaborating with individuals from more than 20 countries, many of whom were non-native English speakers, sharpened his communication and presentation skills. Mark discovered that leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room; instead, it involves effectively leading teams of subject-matter experts by asking the right questions. His contributions as the leader of exercise content resulted in groundbreaking exercises for NATO.
Following his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 2013, Mark founded McMillion Leadership Associates, a company dedicated to delivering practical leadership training to all levels of organizations. Additionally, he has taught leadership theory at West Virginia University. Mark holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an M.S. in Cognitive Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University.
Mark, along with his wife Toni, has been happily married for over 30 years. They reside in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and are proud parents of four children.
For more information on Mark McMillion and McMillion Leadership Associates visit: https://mcmillionleadership.com/
Mark McMillion is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of leadership experience, training, and practice. As a West Point graduate, he was privileged to learn at the finest school of leadership in the world. With two engineering degrees, he understands how hard data drives decisions. As a veteran leader, he’s learned and practiced the soft skills of leadership. With tours of duty in Germany, Norway (with NATO), and two combat tours in Iraq, he served in a variety of positions on three continents and across the United States.
Contrary to what many believe, leadership in the Army is not as simple as giving orders or court-martialing someone. Building mutual trust, loyalty, and respect for others are critical requirements to be an effective leader in any environment.
His career highlights include his times as platoon leader, West Point assistant professor, battalion executive officer, and exercise planner for NATO. Each of these positions decisively shaped his development and learning.
As a platoon leader with great sergeants, he learned that leadership with great teams is sometimes as simple as securing them the resources and turning them loose. That’s why he likes to say “50% of great leadership is knowing when to get out of the way.” It’s that other 50% which can be difficult. He’s had plenty of practice in those situations as well.
Teaching at West Point, he honed his presentation skills and delighted in shaping the Army for decades to come. He’s now patiently waiting for one of his former cadets to mention how their West Point “P” profoundly shaped their rise to the presidency.
As the second-in-command of an artillery battalion, he actively managed every aspect of the unit, whether it was maintenance of over 225 combat vehicles or developing the young officers of the unit. Mark was an integral part of preparing the unit for its next combat deployment.
His experience in NATO enabled him to grow a greater appreciation for the value of diversity. Working side-by-side with people from over 20 different countries helped hone his communication and presentation skills as approximately 80% of the staff were non-native English speakers. During those three years, he was involved in multiple planning teams and worked his way up to become the leader of exercise content. He learned he didn’t have to be the smartest person in the room (except when he was by himself!) to lead. Mark managed teams of subject-matter experts by learning to ask the right questions. The results were ground-breaking exercises for NATO.
Mark retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2013 and then founded McMillion Leadership Associates, a company committed to delivering useful, pragmatic leadership training to all levels of a company.
Mark has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a M.S. in Cognitive Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University.
More information: http://www.mcmillionleadership.com/