Posted on Dec 23, 2016
Current SPC team leader, soon to be SGT. What are your words of wisdom (one of my favorites, "Don't expect what you don't inspect.")?
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NCOs
Leadership Development
12B: Combat Engineer
Team Leader
Squad Leader
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 48
Trust but verify
Anyone can yell, but a leader can listen as well.
If the Solders are there, so are you... good stuff, fun stuff, shit tasks as well...and that does not mean standing by watching with hands in pockets... Your a 12B.. so if there is a picket pounder laying on the ground pick it up.... wire gloves fit NCO hands as well, that ACE, SEE, or other MP equipment ain't going to change its own oil.
Your not there friend, but that does not mean you cant be friendly...nobody likes an asshole...more importantly, nobody crosses a open area under direct fire for an asshole. Nobody follows an asshole into the breach..
If you only raise your voice to be heard when needed, that will stand out as a difference and they will take notice.
Anyone can yell, but a leader can listen as well.
If the Solders are there, so are you... good stuff, fun stuff, shit tasks as well...and that does not mean standing by watching with hands in pockets... Your a 12B.. so if there is a picket pounder laying on the ground pick it up.... wire gloves fit NCO hands as well, that ACE, SEE, or other MP equipment ain't going to change its own oil.
Your not there friend, but that does not mean you cant be friendly...nobody likes an asshole...more importantly, nobody crosses a open area under direct fire for an asshole. Nobody follows an asshole into the breach..
If you only raise your voice to be heard when needed, that will stand out as a difference and they will take notice.
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SFC Bob Arnold
Don't expect your Soldiers to treat/respect you any different from how they saw you treat NCOs.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGM is on point with his advice. In reference to what SGT Angie said, if you find yourself leading peers, be cautious and use the judgment that has clearly already been observed in you (since you're already in a team leader position). There will always be someone who "knows" they can lead better than you. This is a consistent problem when peers are promoted and left to lead in a former peer group. For those of us in the National Guard this is a frequent issue given the (often) lack of a different location to be promoted into. Unit makeup tends to remain a little more stagnant in the NG. Although there are both pros and cons to this stagnancy, I can tell you that when I became an NCO I went from being in the group to the leader of the group. I learned quite a bit about perseverance and character building (my own) in the first couple of months.
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SSG Thomas Gallagher
If you are not willing to do something then don't ask your men to do it. Do not demand respect, respect is earned.
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CPT Daniel Cox
As a young LT (prior-enlisted soldier) BN S2, I did the things you mentioned, as I did when I was an SL. I was in the dirt helping to set up defensive positions for our S2 van when my S2 NCO, a gnarly MSG, called me aside and explained that was not what he expected of his LT. I listened and learned. There is a point when you have to step aside, but that point is not at the SGT/SL level. So, SGT Malkewitz, as the wise SGM and the others said, lead by example. The hardest part, if you are staying in the same squad, is disengaging the sometimes close friendships you developed coming up in the same unit. There can be resentment on their part that you are no longer their bud. Your new paradigm is friendly, not a friend. Trying to discipline a former friend can be difficult. I hope you listened to the sage advice these wise individuals gave and if not, a year later, I hope you review their words to ensure you listened well.
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Live the Creed and lead your troops with that Creed, never-never-never drive them! Shared sacrifice gets respect, and respect gets true loyalty!
If its dangerous, you be on that mission, if the environment sucks (personal injury at stake/weather/terrain etc) be on that mission. You might screw a couple things up, but being smart enough to have a trusted mentor to keep you within the SDZ and you will be fine. And finally, don't forget to challenge your team to be PME hard....Physically, Mentally and Emotionally hard so that when called upon you can engage and overcome any obstacle or mission. Too often leaders do not push for emotional strength and you get that through very tough, realistic training and sharing those hardships with your people! You are on your way SSG (Join to see)!
If its dangerous, you be on that mission, if the environment sucks (personal injury at stake/weather/terrain etc) be on that mission. You might screw a couple things up, but being smart enough to have a trusted mentor to keep you within the SDZ and you will be fine. And finally, don't forget to challenge your team to be PME hard....Physically, Mentally and Emotionally hard so that when called upon you can engage and overcome any obstacle or mission. Too often leaders do not push for emotional strength and you get that through very tough, realistic training and sharing those hardships with your people! You are on your way SSG (Join to see)!
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank you for the solid advice, CSM. I am extremely passionate in my position able to lead soldiers and pass my knowledge on. I will take this to heart, no doubt about it.
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1) Remember the SMELL test --
Is what I/my team about to do:
Safe
Moral
Ethical
Legal
Logistical
If the answer is yes to all, you're probably doing the right things.
2) slow is smooth and smooth is fast
Is what I/my team about to do:
Safe
Moral
Ethical
Legal
Logistical
If the answer is yes to all, you're probably doing the right things.
2) slow is smooth and smooth is fast
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