Questioning authority

I explain ALL THE TIME if given the chance. Sometimes, if in a hurry, I'll say "just do it because I SAID SO".<div><br></div><div>But every leadership book I have read tells you that you SHOULD explain, if you can. It leads to more people following you willingly. People are much more likely to do a job if they know WHY.</div><div><br></div><div>It's just human nature.</div><div><br></div><div>Everyone uses the argument "well what about if you are under fire in combat". I have found that by telling people what I said above, they ALWAYS follow me when I tell them "because I said so" mainly because they realize that I would explain IF I had time.</div><div><br></div><div>I also, in my in briefs talking to my Soldiers, tell them that I will ALWAYS explain "why" if I can, but if I tell you to do it, do it.</div><div><br></div><div>I never have issues.</div><div><br></div><div>I don't usually tell people to punt/just color.</div><div><br></div><div>I also, in a decade of being an NCO, have NEVER made a Soldier do pushups, and never ONCE had a Soldier disrespect me or not do what I ask.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I have a slightly differently leadership style than many.</div>

<div>I don't always see asking "why" as questioning authority.</div><div><br></div><div>Soldiers deserve to be given a "purpose" for every "task". &nbsp;They don't need the purpose so the feel important but so they can most effectively accomplish the mission. &nbsp;A Soldier who knows how his task fits in to the higher units mission not only has a sense of purpose but a guiding direction that leads to the desired end state.</div><div><br></div><div>If the Soldier is digging a hole for a fighting position he will dig it differently if he knows how the fighting position fits in to the sector and much differently &nbsp;if he knows the hole is for a pipe. &nbsp;Also when the Soldier understands task and purpose they may know a better way to do things and recommend it as a new course of action. &nbsp;Too often I have seen Soldiers who were not given a purpose for their task waste a lot of time and effort because they didn't have an understanding of the desired end state.</div><div><br></div><div>If Leaders want Soldiers who are ready to execute tasks as soon as an order is given, ensure leaders are prepared to give a purpose with each task.</div><div><br></div><div>All this said, Soldiers must be respectful and there is a time and place for everything. &nbsp;If you tell a troop to take point or kick in a door, he had better do it.</div>

In garrison (read: not actively engaged in combat), I actually encourage my people to understand the "why'. That's how we learn. When you educate your people, not only do you give them a deeper understanding, but you can also grant them a sense of ownership in the mission.<div><br></div><div>I can just tell you "you have to head-space and time the M2 before firing it" and just leave it at that, but once you understand WHY you have to do it, suddenly it's a lot more important to learn.</div>