Posted on Oct 16, 2019
How does a military veteran lead civilians?
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I am a veteran with over 15 years of combined service. I am currently going to school and studying journalism.
I am taking a class which entails working on the school newspaper. I am the Editor in Chief for this semester and have been told by the other staff members my style comes across as controlling, demanding and unappreciative.
They have also told me they see us as equals rather my subordinates and even got offended when I referred to them as such. The faculty advisor came to me nearly in tears and told me how offensive that remark was.
I attempted to set up a meeting with them to try to resolve this and I even got pushback on that, being told I was acting unprofessionally and that it was unrealistic of me to expect them to try to meet at a time I was available.
In hindsight I think I should have asked for a meeting at the beginning of the semester to clearly define our roles and responsibilities, but I'm concerned this situation is past the point of any peaceful solution.
Does anyone have guidance on how I should proceed in this?
Thank you.
I am taking a class which entails working on the school newspaper. I am the Editor in Chief for this semester and have been told by the other staff members my style comes across as controlling, demanding and unappreciative.
They have also told me they see us as equals rather my subordinates and even got offended when I referred to them as such. The faculty advisor came to me nearly in tears and told me how offensive that remark was.
I attempted to set up a meeting with them to try to resolve this and I even got pushback on that, being told I was acting unprofessionally and that it was unrealistic of me to expect them to try to meet at a time I was available.
In hindsight I think I should have asked for a meeting at the beginning of the semester to clearly define our roles and responsibilities, but I'm concerned this situation is past the point of any peaceful solution.
Does anyone have guidance on how I should proceed in this?
Thank you.
Chain of Command
Civilians
Leadership
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 30
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You need to realize that these people are students, paying for an opportunity to learn and grow. They don't know nor understand formal leadership and management. They don't follow orders. Most haven't probably even held a full-time job. You can't boss them around like a soldier. They are not your subordinates, they are your team, and you must see them that way. Management and leadership is FAR FAR less formal in the civilian world, so much so that unless you are a formal-titled boss (like the Professor) you have next to no authority and must persuade those you work with that they should trust you. Right now you have no credibility with your team. Prove to them that you are worth being listened to and things will change for you.
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I don't know about you, but I worked with a few OGA types in country. One of the things that "Bob" said that stuck with me is that the CIA doesn't allow mirrors during training at the Farm. This is to help prevent what they call "mirror philosophy". Breaking it down Barney style, no one else sees things the way you do. You can't expect people understand naturally what comes to you. You thought you were acting like a good NCO, when in reality you were probably being a dick, or at least perceived to be a dick.
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I was in PAO while in the Army as well, and went on to work for my school's newspaper when I got out. It definitely isn't the military. You have to sit down and have an adult conversation with them. What do you expect out of them and what do they expect out of you? You probably shouldn't have used the word subordinates to them since it is a school newspaper and not a real-world job. A newspaper is supposed to be a team effort. Your job is to encourage them and to help them become better journalists. But, if you go around demanding things and not treating them with respect, you're only going to be the EIC this one semester.
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