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As a new squad leader I've been struggling a lot with this. I've realized that I've been putting 100% of my energy into taking care of my Soldiers and helping other people/executing my additional duties. Now I haven't had time of life to take care of myself. How do I find balance?
Squad Leader
SFC
1SG
CSM
Lt Col
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 29
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13
0
Learn to delegate.
That’s why you have team leaders for. Once you get task delegation down, you knock out your stuff and you’re in the gym by 1300.
That’s why you have team leaders for. Once you get task delegation down, you knock out your stuff and you’re in the gym by 1300.
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SSG (Join to see)
Oh trust me, I know. I did this regardless but would almost always catch mad flak for it. Everyone wants to be the final authority on things nowadays and don’t just let people do their jobs and go home. SSG (Join to see)
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SSG (Join to see)
@OP though, one of the hardest lessons learned is getting hands off and managing less, with more rank comes more ass chewing, but that comes with assumption of risk. You’re betting on your dudes getting the job done. Worst case, they don’t, hold their feet to the fire and then mentor them
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SFC Dan Perkins
As a young NCO, I remember I had to trust my subordinates and used all the training in PLDC/BNOC to teach that team cohesion. Otherwise the mission would not get accomplish. Did I stretch myself thin at times? Yes. Did I meet all my deadlines on time? No But, it was a learning process that I can say molded me into that soldier that I became. I would not do it any different not did it make me an effective Leader but my soldiers respective me, they trusted me, and they would follow me where ever I went. To this day we have a special bond and we still communicate. almost 20 -25 years later.
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Delegate, get your Soldiers started on a Task, place the Senior Soldier in charge when you step away. Make sure that the senior Soldier understands the requirement and will reach out as necessary to keep the task on point. Shock in routinely to ensure that the Team is getting along.
You also build your Team out of necessity. Individual and Team development are a by product. As for additional duties you prioritize based on your organizations policies. Not everything has to be done immediately, learn to prioritize.
You also build your Team out of necessity. Individual and Team development are a by product. As for additional duties you prioritize based on your organizations policies. Not everything has to be done immediately, learn to prioritize.
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SSG (Join to see)
Just to caveat on this, unexpected visits are truly the key to disciplining your squad/team. Having a soldier know, in the back of their mind, that you could pop up at any minute will make them (more often than not) want to do the right thing.
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1SG Bill Farmerie
Make sure you don't forget to go back and check that it was done to standard also.
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One of my first jobs after leaving the Army the first time was working in a restaurant as a server. It seems simple, you ask people what they need and bring it to them. But I found myself running back and forth constantly and feeling overwhelmed, while these older ladies were handling twice as many customers as I was and they were casually strolling along. They told me, don't go back and forth to each table, make one trip to all tables bringing what you need. Point is, have a flow, don't be reactive. Consolidate tasks and group them to be more efficient. Your job is not so reactive that you can't predict your day to some degree. With experience comes knowledge, and that knowledge allows you to predict what tasks you'll need to accomplish in a work week, and what problems you're likely to face with your Soldiers.
Second, as everyone else says, delegate. Your first job as a leader is not to accomplish the mission, it's to train other leaders. A PSG teaches PLs. A CSM mentors 1SGs. A SL teaches TLs. That way you're creating a force multiplier. You can only be one superhero, but if you train ten people who train ten people who train ten people.... You have an Army of capable leaders
Second, as everyone else says, delegate. Your first job as a leader is not to accomplish the mission, it's to train other leaders. A PSG teaches PLs. A CSM mentors 1SGs. A SL teaches TLs. That way you're creating a force multiplier. You can only be one superhero, but if you train ten people who train ten people who train ten people.... You have an Army of capable leaders
(8)
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