Posted on Aug 26, 2014
What does "Top Down Leadership, Bottom Up Refinement" mean to you?
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This has become a major guiding principle in my military career and I'm curious if anyone else out there uses it and what it means to them. To me, it means receiving orders and guidance from leadership in the normal fashion, but affording subordinate personnel/elements the levity to take those orders and make the plan their own. In my opinion, this inevitably leads to a more vested interest in the success of the plan at all levels.
Feel free to add a personal story of when this mentality was beneficial to yourself or your unit.
Feel free to add a personal story of when this mentality was beneficial to yourself or your unit.
Leadership
Planning
Success
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1
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Interesting idea and concept for sure. Of course there are proper times and locations to practice this. Sometimes you just have to take the orders from the top and act on them without must change.
I think I might just include this concept in my next project managers' meeting! I can see some great benefit from allowing those that actually have to do the work a chance to form their plan of action to accomplish the overall goal.
I think I might just include this concept in my next project managers' meeting! I can see some great benefit from allowing those that actually have to do the work a chance to form their plan of action to accomplish the overall goal.
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CW2 (Join to see)
It's especially helpful when leadership is at a higher echelon and removed from the day to day activities that will be required to carry out the plan. The lower echelon usually has a better grasp of the best way to carry out the plan and good leadership usually recognizes that.
I would definitely like to hear if it works for you, if you do end up using it.
I would definitely like to hear if it works for you, if you do end up using it.
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SSG Gary Decker
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." - General George S. Patton
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