If we were to ask your superiors (reporting staff) or your teammates to comment about your leadership how would they respond?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 12:57:13 -0500

RP Members think back to your last Leadership position in the military and how would your staff or peers would answer this question about you?

This is great practice for service members getting ready to transition or veterans still looking for employment. This is a common interview question that you could be asked to respond to.

Are you ready?

Let's provide some valuable feedback and tips!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 12 at 2016 1:10 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 13:10:44 -0500

A few of the people I served with are RallyPoint members and they might be able to comment on the question as it relates to me COL David James SGM Edward Blesi MSG Don Burt SPC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 12 at 2016 2:46 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 14:46:59 -0500

There is no wrong answer. Remember that job interviews are actually sales calls. You're selling yourself. Let yourself be guided by the same wisdom that guides professional sales people: Some will, some won't. Each hiring manager is looking for something: Your answer may fit or it may not. Don't let that stop you from answering honestly so that you can be hired honestly. Starting out in a new job on a misconception will never end well.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 12 at 2016 2:57 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 14:57:36 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I thought this was one of the most important aspects of being a leader, if not the most important; long before the 360 assessments were in vogue. I always believed and said if want to know how you are doing, really doing, don't worry (or believe) what your evaluation reports say... But, rather ask those you lead and serve how you are doing. That is the true measure of what kind of leader you are.

I always set, demanded and enforced high standards, but I also cared (give a shit factor); really cared.

I think if you took out those who thought I treated them badly because they chose to violate Army standards or even the law, the rest would say.... He cared, gave his best everyday, led by example, had fun, demanded high standards, set a positive command climate, was humble, and made a difference.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2016 2:59 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 14:59:44 -0500

Went back for a visit after discharge. One NCO told me that he always felt he should do a little more. I took that as a nice compliment.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Mar 12 at 2016 3:45 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 15:45:19 -0500

Extremely favorable. I was always the first one in and usually the last one to leave.....they may say I may be a little to meticulous.....one of my superiors said I was to anal...can you imagine. LOL...but his superior said I wasn't anal....that I just liked to make sure every thing was in tip top shape. My OIC liked me and trusted me so much that he always assigned me to be the look out on random drug testing days/weeks. UGH Some of the DOCS at Wilford Hall didn't like me because I showed NO favoritism....but over all I can say that I would receive very high marks from everyone I worked with.

After I got out of the service, after a year I ended up taking a job in a temporary agency to work in the agency. I did such a good job, after 3 months I was hired permanently and put into customer service management. Here I trained for hiring and firing people and teaching new hires and recruits on "HOW TO INTERVIEW." I got pretty good at it.

ONE THING YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO...is Do not brag on yourself. be frank and candid, but not conceded. Do not interrupt the interviewer and don't give long winded answers/responses.

When asked open ended questions, stick to the question and don't over elaborate...and always ALWAYS make direct EYE contact...don't look around...look down...roll your eyes...fidget with your fingers or move around in your chair.

Response by SSG Leonard J W. made Mar 12 at 2016 4:22 PM

SSG Leonard J W. — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 16:22:05 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, great topic! This one reminds me of the newer requirement known as MSAF 360 (Multi-Source Assessment and Feedback). It allows peers, seniors, and subordinates to rate and comment upon one's leadership traits. I personally found that my peers were usually 50/50 with me: they liked me sometimes, and they didn't at other times. I have never had a direct supervisor who didn't like me, nor have I had subordinates that didn't respect me. That is not to say that my career was perfect...it was actually far from it. I just made goals to take care of my troops, to be hard on them when they were wrong, and to ensure that my supervisors were pleased with my outputs. I think I did okay overall...

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Mar 12 at 2016 8:36 PM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 20:36:15 -0500

I would have to give 50/50 like a scatter of buckshot. I would have not been able to pull off my last assignment without the help of several commands. I may be better than I give myself credit for but I will not believe myself to be greater than I am.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 13 at 2016 12:06 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 00:06:57 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs COMMENTS? After my retirement function I was awake all night! All BS & gun smoke, but for that one night I believed it. CSM

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Mar 13 at 2016 4:25 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 04:25:51 -0400

Depends on the unit, and my position at the time. I will say I was somewhat of a slacker while working F-16s, but was pretty spot on when working F-22s. I shined the greatest as a program manager and systems administrator, although, a lot of my work is pretty shady, but I always get it done.

Response by PVT Jevon James made Mar 13 at 2016 6:26 PM

PVT Jevon James — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 18:26:49 -0400

The personality and time spent on task.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Mar 14 at 2016 2:06 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 02:06:31 -0400

Misread the question. I think I was pretty much considered a "Guardian Asshole" to the Marines in my unit.

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made Mar 14 at 2016 2:27 PM

SFC Craig Dalen — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 14:27:18 -0400

I would hope that they would be honest and not try to sugar coat it. But I know at the end of the day I have done my best.

Response by PO1 Kerry French made Mar 15 at 2016 10:31 PM

PO1 Kerry French — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 22:31:45 -0400

Mine would say I was a pain. Always told the truth and didn't candy coat it. Didn't always help me but they knew they could count on me to tell them the truth.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 6:21 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 18:21:38 -0400

The good.
-Extremely hard worker, tasks that should take all day take only a couple hours to do.
-Handles stress with a little comedy and keeps his head cool under even the Generals fire.
-Does more with a short deck than what was thought possible.

The bad.
-Little to no tact when dealing with higher-ups that he perceives as having no idea what they are doing.
-will call in a fire mission for a single target (overkill a project).

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 18 at 2016 6:40 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 18:40:02 -0400

Don't we already do that with the MASF 360?

Response by MAJ Michael Pauling made Mar 18 at 2016 7:12 PM

MAJ Michael Pauling — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:12:13 -0400

Autocratic with a dose of Common Sense

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 22 at 2016 5:55 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 05:55:06 -0400

Have all my EERs at home and they all had great remarks on them.