Do you prefer a soldier who works hard or smart?

2021-05-20T13:34:39-04:00

I want to ask all the officers and NCOs here. Do you prefer a soldier work hard or smart? For officers, will you request a specialist waiver for a soldier who work hard and always volunteer because he or she think work hard will get he or her a specialist waiver or a soldier who work smart and efficiently.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 2:15 PM

2021-05-20T14:15:43-04:00

I want Soldiers that work hard and work smart.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 20 at 2021 2:40 PM

2021-05-20T14:40:16-04:00

You should work hard and be smart about it. But the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you are working for something and want something speak to your leadership. Don't be quiet about something you are working towards as a goal and be upset because somebody didn't read your mind.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 3:19 PM

2021-05-20T15:19:00-04:00

You work hard and smart at all the jobs that you have in your lifetime. In other words, you will produce more output than your peers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 5:01 PM

2021-05-20T17:01:19-04:00

Do they have to be mutually exclusive?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 20 at 2021 5:26 PM

2021-05-20T17:26:02-04:00

Soldiers who work hard tend to be efficient as well. Those who work hard have a great attitude and tend to have the wherewithal to understand processes because they decisively engage themselves in the processes.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 6:19 PM

2021-05-20T18:19:58-04:00

Someone that gets the job done, with the least amount of friction, and while still training subordinates along the way. If/when you start to delegate and supervise, you'll only be limited by your motivation level. Teams last, individuals not so much.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made May 20 at 2021 6:31 PM

2021-05-20T18:31:14-04:00

Do both. They aren't mutually exclusive. If you are looking to stand out, finishing all the stuff you have assigned, and then helping others is noticed.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 6:58 PM

2021-05-20T18:58:35-04:00

Smart. 100%
Not doing something a certain way because it's not in a manual, or because it's always been that way, or because you didn't think of an easier way to do it is absolutely stupid, and a waste of time, effort, and money.
This is the military, if there's one thing you should be you should be efficient.
Efficiency can make up for other shortcomings and bypass other problems.
We need more "smart" people, and less don't think just do what the manual says and what our schools teach as doctrine.....doctrine is a guide not law.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 9:54 PM

2021-05-20T21:54:18-04:00

There's a different between being smart and smart ass.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 21 at 2021 8:27 PM

2021-05-21T20:27:28-04:00

I want a Soldier who will do both. You don't have to BE smart to WORK smart.

Figure out the best way for YOU (or for your team) to get the job done - and then go get it done! If you know you are dumber than a box of rocks, but stronger than an ox, find ways to leverage your strength (or know you aren't up to the task, and GET HELP). If you know you are weaker than every guy named "Poindexter," ever, but have an IQ over 1,000 (yes, I know... not possible, but go with me here), then find ways to use your intelligence to compensate for your lack of physical strength (or know you aren't up to the task, and GET HELP). What works best for YOU (or your team)? THAT is working smart.

All that being said - if I HAVE to choose, I will take a hard worker over a smart worker. I can train a hard worker to work smarter. I can't fix lazy. I can make lazy miserable - but I can't *fix* it.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made May 22 at 2021 6:56 AM

2021-05-22T06:56:34-04:00

Both, they are not mutually exclusive!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 22 at 2021 11:27 AM

2021-05-22T11:27:25-04:00

I want both hard and smart. These attributes are not exclusive. You can do both and should. Working hard, getting the job done under difficult circumstances, is essential to military service. Working smart can be a little more cerebral, but is often based on common sense. Knowing how to arrange tools and parts to get a job done with minimum redundancy is a smart move. Smart can be harder if it involves change.

Response by SGT Dealdre Murrell made Feb 16 at 2022 9:16 PM

2022-02-16T21:16:41-05:00

Smater not harder