How do you determine your relevancy as a leader?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:34:23 -0400

I think that this photo speaks volumes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 4:36 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:36:04 -0400

I base it on the fact that my Soldiers are always coming to me with concerns.........and I am still in the Leadership position because of that

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 4:37 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:37:16 -0400

Your Relevance is your impact on Soldiers and Mission.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 23 at 2015 4:46 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:46:05 -0400

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member You need to be involved in the 'Yes' part of these answers....
Do you provide a Vision and leadership examples for your organization and employees?
Are you measuring how you and your team performs and comparing this is established SMART (Specific Measureable Attainable Realistic Time bound) goals?
Does your boss come to you to delegate tasks and resolve customer problems? Do your employees come to you with the difficult questions they have struggled with and request your opinion on potential solutions and how to resolve?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 4:52 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:52:05 -0400

I gauge my relevance by involvement. How much are my superiors bringing to me for input or resolution. Also, how much are my subordinates bringing to me because it is not solvable at their level and they have confidence that I will advocate for the best solution for the unit and all of its' members. Both of these should be a direct reflection of past and current performance.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 23 at 2015 4:56 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:56:14 -0400

Just off the top of my head:
- Build the unit with: expectations, culture, sops, tactics, technical skills, rank-structure-roles, how the unit supports higher, and training.
- Improve the unit
- Maintain the unit
Work hard, learn, grow, and have FUN!

Response by LT Garth Young (Ret) made Jul 23 at 2015 5:04 PM

LT Garth Young (Ret) — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:04:48 -0400

Walk away for a period of time and listen to the troops upon return. Doesn't matter if you're in Service or civilian. Go on leave, TDY, TAD, or vacation. When you return and the rank and file are telling you how things went wrong or how much they missed you or tell you the horror stories of your absence.....makes you feel good, lets you know you're having an impact.

Response by Capt Michael Halpin made Jul 23 at 2015 5:09 PM

Capt Michael Halpin — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:09:12 -0400

On the other hand, maybe it's because you trained them so well they are capable of making their own decisions!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 25 at 2015 5:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 17:47:25 -0400

I think it depends on how well built the unit is. The goal is to create a unit that can run on its own.

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Jul 25 at 2015 7:39 PM

SFC Walter Mack — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 19:39:51 -0400

Morale is a direct reflection of your relevancy as a leader. Difficult missions can be done with high morale and easy missions can be failed due to low morale. I've found that this is the best indicator of a unit's leadership.

If all your Soldiers are unhappy, you likely suck as a leader.