In a speech focused on leadership development and business ethics, former chairman of the 16th Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace spoke in Lohrfink Auditorium in the Rafik B. Hariri Building on Tuesday.

The McDonough School of Business’s Distinguished Leader Series seeks to attract accomplished leaders to share their experiences with undergraduate and graduate business students. Pace was the first Marine ever to serve as vice chairman or chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pace, who has more than 40 years of military experience, highlighted critical leadership qualities that are found in a modern leader.

“When you are hired into a leadership position, you are hired not to follow, but to lead and make decisions. The hard part is figuring out which decisions are yours to make and which are others’ to make,” Pace said.

The general suggested that audience members be proactive and selective in choosing places of employment. He emphasized the importance of the individual in making his or her own decisions, and learning to “grow where you’re planted.”

Pace graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and completed his master’s degree in business administration from The George Washington University. He later went on to graduate from The Basic School in Quantico, Va., and the National War College in Washington, D.C., before he was stationed overseas in Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

In September 2000, Pace was promoted to general and served as the commander in chief of the United States Southern Command until late 2001, when he became vice chairman and held this position until August 2005 when he became the top military advisor to the president, the secretary of defense and the National Security Council.

Drawing from his military background to recount stories from his years in Vietnam and abroad, he stressed the importance of integrity and courage. Respecting and developing a deep connection with one’s subordinates is also essential for solving problems and overcoming challenges in all facets of life, according to Pace.

“Protect your integrity like you protect your name,” Pace said.

Speaking two hours before President Obama announced that the United States will send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, Pace briefly commented on the administration’s strategy in Afghanistan.

Pace recounted discussions he had with former President George W. Bush to describe how the situation in Afghanistan is changing. Previously, military officials had noted that there were not enough American armed forces to operate at full capacity in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

With fewer forces now in Iraq, more troops have been made available to be placed into Afghanistan, according to Pace.

“Part of what’s changed is the amount of resources we have. There are resources available to President Obama to make this change in Afghanistan,” Pace said.

Following his speech, when questioned by a member of the audience about his personal opinion regarding Obama’s strategy in Afghanistan, Pace declined to comment.

“I will not answer that question because I used to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. But I am no longer so. It is not appropriate, in my opinion, [for me] to comment on this president’s decisions,” he said.

He acknowledged that he has continued to provide his personal opinion directly to officials in the Obama administration.”