How do you advize young Soldiers on how to react with different leadership styles of their different leaders?

SFC Michael Boulanger — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:58:30 -0500

Leaders (NCOs and Officers) vary in leadership styles from one leader to another. Some don't really care or even want to do work and others are hard chargers and have their Soldiers do things that are unnessasary just to look good for their seniors or just because, then you have the leaders that are in between the two extremes. What to you tell young Soldiers that come to you on advise on how to act or react to the unpreffered or unliked leadership style that they are facing from their leader.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2013 3:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 15:07:56 -0500

Having been on the receiving end of both those extremes, I've found that the simplest answer for myself and my peers/subordinates was a simple "Be where you need to be, when you need to be there, and do what you need to do, and take care of your peers if they need support or advice" Regardless of rank, when you find yourself in the reins of an apathetic leader you can address many issues in house without a loss of morale or effectiveness. I've found this to work at the individual, team and squad level. Well by no means the definitive answer or even the right one, I've found that it has worked when navigating rough waters.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 22 at 2013 3:09 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 15:09:54 -0500

Good question. I tell them the same thing that I was told when I was a young Soldier. You take what works, understand why it works, and you put in your rucksack. That is something that you will use when you are in front of Soldiers. You take what doesn't work, understand why it doesn't work, and toss it aside.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Apr 28 at 2014 1:13 AM

SSG Mike Angelo — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 01:13:12 -0400

Everyone in life has a choice. In the military, after the draft era and into the VOLAR, all volunteer army...military, people make choices to enlist, be commissioned or to work as a Defense Department Civilian, ie DA army civilian, Marine Civilian, etc.

The Question is...How much can one live with, or without? This can be a career make or break question. The real answer lies within oneself, as it may take a lifetime to answer.

I would tell my people that there is professional leadership and personal leadership. Professional leadership is defined by the military organization while personal leadership is defined and coveted, as in desired behavior, which is within our own self.

We may consider desired behavior as ethical and appropriate, hence our moral compass.

Whether the new leadership is autocratic or Laissez Faire or in between, as subordinates, or followers as well as peers should be consistent so that new leadership can measure their unit/team capacity. It is our hope that new leaders have a good moral compass for others to follow. Leaders are change agents too, so it is better to be flexible and work with new leaders.

A military unit does not have a choice of who comes in to lead, manage or supervise, yet we all know from the bottom up how unique a military unit can be.

During change, people rely on who they are so as to present a predictive behavioral norm.

In other words, be your self. Don't be somebody you are not. Behave responsibly and try to be predictable.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 12:08 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:08:07 -0400

I tell all Soldiers, you can learn from every leader. Good or bad, you can learn what to do and what NOT to do. Use the mistakes of others as opportunity to explore what went wrong and how it could have been done differently. Use the success of others as a model to emulate. Failure is not always bad, it's when you stop trying to improve that is wrong. Success is not always good, it can close you off from trying something new or different. I use the SOS method from SuperNanny in my Soldiers. Stop, observe, step in. Don't let emotions control your actions in a situation. At the same time, don't dwell too long on what to do, make a decision and execute.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 9:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:55:00 -0400

As a brand new Buck SGT.. I was headed down the path of correcting every wrong I could find.. I was the typical A-hole E-5.. I was pulled off to the side by one of the many great NCO's I had in my life.. and he told me.. there are two types of leaders.. those that get respect because they are A-holes.. and their guys do what they want to keep off the hit list and remember you as the A-hole NCO.. and then there are those leaders that have the respect of their soldiers because they are willing to learn and change to what works.and they remember you as the Mentor and leader that they want to be. .. I still have soldiers that will call me and chew my ear for advice. the proudest days for me was when my soldiers made their next rank faster then I had.. that meant I preparing them for what was ahead of them.. making them, better then I was, giving them the tools to advance and lead..

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Oct 13 at 2014 11:38 AM

SGT Suraj Dave — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:38:29 -0400

Things I learned about leadership in the Army

1.Learn something from every leader you ever encounter. Even when its a bad leader, you can still observe them and learn what not to do.

2. Time is the most important thing a soldier has. Don't waste their time. Don't make them sit around and do nothing. Find something productive to do or let them go. Follow that mantra, and the soldier will do ANYTHING for you. Don't be that leader who has your element stay back when everyone else leaves for them day, for stupid things that you can put on your NCOER. (i.e. making your whole element stay after hours to clean vehicles or something). These guys deploy every other year, their time with their families are more important than an NCOER bullet.

3. Don't gossip, make fun of, or talk behind your subordinates backs. If they figure it out, you have lost their loyalty and loyal cooperation.

4. Discipline is a good thing, but disrespect is not. Unless they don't respond to anything else, you shouldn't ever disrespect or belittle your subordinates in front of their peer's or senior leaders. Another easy way to lose their loyalty and cooperation.

5. Be friendly, be approachable, but do not be their friend.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Oct 15 at 2014 11:31 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 23:31:56 -0400

In my generation these were some key notes that I recall as a young enlisted service member.

Dress to impress. This includes the barracks inspection and overall health and hygiene.
In the field, change socks frequently.
Be seen and not heard. Do the job first then bitch later afterwards.
Don't miss a formation, appointment or duty.
When in doubt, get clarification. When all else fails...Obey your last order first and use good judgment and common sense. Set your moral compass appropriately.
On situation...If good judgment and common sense fails, then seek advice and counsel. Do not be afraid to fail. Learn from your mistakes.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 15 at 2014 11:42 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 23:42:44 -0400

It kind of works both ways. As a leader, we have to learn what works not only for our group of subordinates as a whole, but for each one individually if we want to be 100% effective. Explaining it this way to your subordinates could help them understand that the same is true of different leaders and help them when they become one.

Response by SFC Rick H made Dec 11 at 2015 1:50 PM

SFC Rick H — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:50:18 -0500

Here is how I would answer your Q. SFC. Up front- a soldiers job is not to be concerned or show contention with a different leadership style- there ultimate job and " safe zone ", quite frankly, give all due respect and follow orders. Finally, it saddens this retired NCO to read some of the words you included in your language- unnecessary? not preferred or not liked leadership style ? I served 24 years of Active Duty - U.S. Army, and believe I have never read or heard those words used before; when we address how soldiers might feel about their leadership!? Has today's Army changed that much or am I misunderstand your thoughts here?

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Dec 15 at 2015 12:26 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 00:26:00 -0500

Be flexible!