Posted on Aug 26, 2015
MAJ Multifunctional Logistician
6.68K
19
13
4
4
0
We don't like to see them fail because we train them and want them to succeed. Their failures can be a negative hit against us, their leaders. But failure can also be a very good learning tool and from my observations one that is not used as often as it used to be. Why or why not do you let your subordinates fail?
Posted in these groups: 11bcd87 FailureLeadership abstract 007 LeadershipImages 20 NCOsOfficers logo Officers
Edited >1 y ago
Avatar feed
Responses: 10
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
4
4
0
Mission? No. Task, as a learnin experience, sure. Sometimes failure is the best way to learn that you could have approached something a different way.

That said, "if" they ask for help, I'll point them in the correct direction, give resources, but I gave them ownership. It's no longer mine until they give it back.
(4)
Comment
(0)
MAJ Multifunctional Logistician
MAJ (Join to see)
>1 y
Valid points Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS . No leader would let their subordinate fail a real life mission, I hope, but letting them own the task and failing at it is more what I was thinking of when I asked the question. Good answer.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Warren Swan
2
2
0
Without failure, do you really ever have success?
(2)
Comment
(0)
SSgt Alex Robinson
(1)
Reply
(0)
SSG Warren Swan
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Alex Robinson
1
1
0
Yea. Failure is always the stepping stone to success of you mentor them properly
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close