Posted on Mar 12, 2016
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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RP Members think back to your last Leadership position in the military and how would your staff or peers would answer this question about you?

This is great practice for service members getting ready to transition or veterans still looking for employment. This is a common interview question that you could be asked to respond to.

Are you ready?

Let's provide some valuable feedback and tips!
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Responses: 17
Sgt Kelli Mays
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Extremely favorable. I was always the first one in and usually the last one to leave.....they may say I may be a little to meticulous.....one of my superiors said I was to anal...can you imagine. LOL...but his superior said I wasn't anal....that I just liked to make sure every thing was in tip top shape. My OIC liked me and trusted me so much that he always assigned me to be the look out on random drug testing days/weeks. UGH Some of the DOCS at Wilford Hall didn't like me because I showed NO favoritism....but over all I can say that I would receive very high marks from everyone I worked with.

After I got out of the service, after a year I ended up taking a job in a temporary agency to work in the agency. I did such a good job, after 3 months I was hired permanently and put into customer service management. Here I trained for hiring and firing people and teaching new hires and recruits on "HOW TO INTERVIEW." I got pretty good at it.

ONE THING YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO...is Do not brag on yourself. be frank and candid, but not conceded. Do not interrupt the interviewer and don't give long winded answers/responses.

When asked open ended questions, stick to the question and don't over elaborate...and always ALWAYS make direct EYE contact...don't look around...look down...roll your eyes...fidget with your fingers or move around in your chair.
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CPT Jack Durish
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There is no wrong answer. Remember that job interviews are actually sales calls. You're selling yourself. Let yourself be guided by the same wisdom that guides professional sales people: Some will, some won't. Each hiring manager is looking for something: Your answer may fit or it may not. Don't let that stop you from answering honestly so that you can be hired honestly. Starting out in a new job on a misconception will never end well.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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CPT Jack Durish Excellent advise!
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COL Charles Williams
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I thought this was one of the most important aspects of being a leader, if not the most important; long before the 360 assessments were in vogue. I always believed and said if want to know how you are doing, really doing, don't worry (or believe) what your evaluation reports say... But, rather ask those you lead and serve how you are doing. That is the true measure of what kind of leader you are.

I always set, demanded and enforced high standards, but I also cared (give a shit factor); really cared.

I think if you took out those who thought I treated them badly because they chose to violate Army standards or even the law, the rest would say.... He cared, gave his best everyday, led by example, had fun, demanded high standards, set a positive command climate, was humble, and made a difference.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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COL Charles Williams you are a great leader and I've know that from the first day we connected here on RallyPoint. I value your opinion. Even though our styles may be different and our paths were different in the Army we served, I feel we have a lot in common. I respect your candor and your responses. I always sought feedback way before the 360 evolution to see if I was really making a difference. I even got feedback from those I had to remove from positions or had to take correction action with in the end, because I was fair and professional in my approach with them. Your words above resonate with me in a very big way! Thanks for your continued leadership here on RallyPoint.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Col Joseph Lenertz
>1 y
COL Charles Williams Exactly. I always wondered at the officers above me who only looked upward to get their "leadership" approved. It seemed they didn't care, but the gold of leadership is in those you lead. Your staff, peers and unit are your best evaluators, teachers, and critics, and you will learn more from them than you ever would from your rater or annual appraisal.
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
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Col Joseph Lenertz - Hooah! Thanks!
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COL Charles Williams
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