How do you get the people under your command to respect you more and how to make yourself a better leader?

2016-01-07T09:33:08-05:00

Trying to get more cadets involved but a good half of the platoon doesnt respect me as the leader and dont listen

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 9:34 AM

2016-01-07T09:34:57-05:00

I am so sorry!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 9:41 AM

2016-01-07T09:41:37-05:00

Here are my questions:

1) What are you doing, as a Leader, that is not earning their respect?
2) What are you NOT doing, as a Leader, that is not earning their respect?
3) Have you tried sitting down with the platoon and expressing your concerns?
4) Have you tried to figure out how they think and try and adapt to them?
5) What are you doing when trying to get more cadets involved?
6) What do you mean by trying to get them involved?
7) Is this High School or College ROTC?

Response by BG David Fleming III made Jan 7 at 2016 10:21 AM

2016-01-07T10:21:39-05:00

Do your job and be professional doing it! Know your job and don't question your decisions when based on sound practice and policy! If you want friends revert to enlisted. Just one mans opinion.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jan 7 at 2016 10:30 AM

2016-01-07T10:30:42-05:00

Ryan Pecht, respect is best earned by quiet competence, and rarely earned by anyone actively trying to earn it.

If you are in a leadership position, temper your leadership style with humility and grace. "Know it alls" are insufferable enough when we actually do know what we're talking about -- letting it show before people around you have seen enough to believe you're more probably right than wrong is just going to irritate them.

On the other hand, if you work at quietly being competent and keeping your mouth closed except when giving necessary orders or instructions (as opposed to potentially helpful but unnecessary advice), the smart ones will gradually notice and will make a point of stopping and listening when you do speak.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 12:34 PM

2016-01-07T12:34:26-05:00

Competence and a humble attitude earns the respect of the wise, high PT scores takes care of the rest.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Jan 7 at 2016 4:02 PM

2016-01-07T16:02:05-05:00

Simple. Put up signs that say: "The beatings will continue until morale improves."

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jan 7 at 2016 4:21 PM

2016-01-07T16:21:31-05:00

Ryan Pecht Know who you are, be who you are. Know you job until your confident in it. Set the example, never ask your cadets to do something you won't do. Keep your uniform and gear straight. Don't be brash. Be sure that you know what you want them to do, before telling them.

That's a lot of things for you to keep under control but work on it....it will pay dividends. Never give up and never quit. "Stay on the tank"!

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jan 7 at 2016 4:26 PM

2016-01-07T16:26:40-05:00

Ryan Pecht Keep your eyes open and never engage your mouth until you're sure what you're going to say.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jan 7 at 2016 8:31 PM

2016-01-07T20:31:56-05:00

Leading your peers - especially in high school is a daunting task - and honestly, it's much different than how it's done in the grown-up Army. In JROTC you essentially have zero authority to do anything meaningful to or for your subordinates. I think the best thing you can do in JROTC is to look around and see what motivates some people and what motivates others. What do they value? Play to those issues.

This is not the exact same advice I'd give to an Active Duty Platoon leader because it's a whole different type of leadership.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:06 PM

2016-01-07T22:06:23-05:00

Understand that one form of leadership won't apply to everyone under your command. Grow as a leader by learning what motivates and educates those under your command.

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Jan 7 at 2016 11:29 PM

2016-01-07T23:29:17-05:00

This model will help along with what's in the guide.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 8 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-01-08T13:22:26-05:00

Sometimes cadets want support when they are a leader but won't give a rats ass when he is the follower.

Response by SPC Anne Miller made Jan 8 at 2016 11:47 PM

2016-01-08T23:47:04-05:00

Lead from behind.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 9 at 2016 6:00 PM

2016-01-09T18:00:46-05:00

First hold yourself to the standard and make sure you meet them, find a trusted peer to provide no BS feedback. Set expectations and hold people accountable to the standard.

Response by CMSgt John Momaney made Jan 9 at 2016 6:33 PM

2016-01-09T18:33:24-05:00

They say respect is earned and not given. At least in my career time frame 1966-1992. In order to have their respect you must possess those traits that a good needs to do that. When I was a young Airman I started looking at those who seemed to command respect and those who did not. I noticed the mission always came first and foremost. Secondly they cared about those under their command and here it is, cared about their family and how they were doing. this freed the military member to focus on the mission. Leaders are firm but fair. On occasions I would receive a call from Security Police who were having a problem with one of my Airman that involved the wife. No matter what time it was I rolled on over to their house and Security turned the situation over to me. I would have my man takes seat while I talked to his wife. I would ask her what do you want me to do. Some would what the husband out of the house and into the barracks until she said he could come home. Later I would ask both what an I do to save your marriage. If they wanted an assignment to another location I would make a call to assignments and if possible make this happen. I spent many personnel hours with those I commanded. My wife also spent time with the wife's passing on her knowledge how she straighten me out. The military is more fast paced now and time changes how you command but I think bonding with those under you professionally is a must.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Jan 9 at 2016 9:05 PM

2016-01-09T21:05:37-05:00

I've always said you have to lead by example. Let your people see you doing the job you are asking them to do. Durning PT get out and play football with the or soccer. Durning the duty day get in there and work with them when you have time or make time to do that. Go around and ask them how are they doing and if they need anything. Ask about there families and there children. I know you can't hang out with them off duty but do as much as you can on duty without showing favoritism. You have to remember everyone has feelings and we all get up and put our pants on the same way every morning. In order to get respect you have to give respect.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 10 at 2016 6:25 PM

2016-01-10T18:25:55-05:00

Try to find common ground and common gain. There are a lot of leadership positions, but fundamentally people are people. Work on relating to them and motivate them based upon what is important to them. Because you actually care about them as people they will in time do more for you than any dictator could ever force out of them.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 9:33 AM

2016-01-18T09:33:23-05:00

People are observant, give your best even when you are not in front and help others to do their best
- you can lead from any position and people will see that leadership and respect it
- if there isn't time, find the leader, ask for help in motivating the others, and don't forget to recognize others for the success (not yourself)

Response by SPC Thomas Carroll made Feb 6 at 2016 6:16 PM

2016-02-06T18:16:57-05:00

Send a Anonymous tip to the IG . Tell them this Breaking Moral.