Posted on Dec 13, 2014
SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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Personal example
The difference between senior leaders and junior leaders is experience and education. The military does a decent job of that and every once in awhile there needs to be a course correction. Nothing wrong with that, because I respected a leader who would have the patience to explain and the humility that empowers others.

I loved PME schools who helped define my leadership style. One of my trainees earned Observer of the Month for the Air Force. My leadership was natural because I wanted perfection as much as possible. But more than that, was the person. So, if I was made a mistake, would I listen? Did I esteem that young person enough to be modest?

It is the little things that matter and my supervisors did a lot of good things. One has died and another is dying but they will always be blood brothers. They taught me how to better and so did my staff below me. I cared and they knew it and if there is anything, I will wax fondly over what good they did for me. Above and below.

What are your thoughts. How far do you go? And what style of management did you employ?
Posted in these groups: Leadership abstract 007 LeadershipHum HumilityInspiration logo Inspiration
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Responses: 21
MSgt Electrical Power Production
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I don't have problem admitting when I've made a mistake. What bothers me is when people make excuses for their mistakes or try to blame it on others. Just admit you are wrong and move on.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
>1 y
Exactly!
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SFC Josh Jackson
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I had a 1SG once tell me that senior NCOs don't admit mistakes. I flatly rejected that philosophy. Soldiers can tell when something goes wrong, and they know when you screwed up. Watching you admit to and take ownership of your mistake is a great example to set for subordinates.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
SSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Yes!!! Very true and it is a great example to kids also.
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SGT Craig Northacker
SGT Craig Northacker
>1 y
Depends how obnoxious they are about it, or how cranky I am. Please do not ask about how I deal with my wife and kids - they know too much for me anymore, until Dad needs to come up with a solution. But I am good with that-and it makes for a happier family.
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SrA Rex Brown
SrA Rex Brown
>1 y
There is never anything wrong with admitting you are wrong or made a mistake, no matter who you are admitting it to. Admitting to a mistake or that you were wrong shows strength of character.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CMSgt James Nolan
9 y
SFC Josh Jackson exactly. I have never met anyone who is perfect. Owning up shows intestinal fortitude.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Edited >1 y ago
There has always existed the unwritten rules of leadership: never bitch downwards, never be indecisive and never apologize in front of subordinates. Patton was ordered to do the latter and I've broken them all. We're human, regardless of the stoic principals of military leadership we are "obliged" to uphold. Fortunately I've always had the counsel of great senior NCO leadership to be my sounding board when I've questioned decisions I've made or had to make. It's not something you want to do all the time, but owning up to a bad call on occasion can be the right thing to do.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
>1 y
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1SG Michael Blount
1SG Michael Blount
>1 y
SFC Mark Merino - I'm NEVER wrong. I might have been mistaken or misinformed, but NEVER wrong. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Seriously, I stick to the old adage of "praise in public, criticize in private? It seems to work
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