"Non approachable leaders", we all know one or may be one. What are your thoughts?

SGT Chris Hill — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 17:50:07 -0500

We all know of, or might be one of them. Those type of NCO's or officers that have an immediate attitude, regardless of how respectful you approach them, I see it daily. I see Soldiers that are literally too nervous to approach certain NCO's/Officers, and that goes against taking care of Soldiers, as we are responsible to do.

As long as you're being approached the proper way by a subordinate, it should be simple to assist them to the best of your ability. No need to yell or raise your voice and or degrade the Soldier just to fill your ego. What are your thoughts?

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 7 at 2015 6:04 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:04:31 -0500

One thing I learned to do is find out the background if possible. Is there something going on in their lives that we don't know about that this person can't handle? I try to take that into account.

Our personalities play a role too. Are we outgoing or not? but I think any leader who wants to lead the upper echelons needs to be able to take feedback and have an open door policy.

i also think part of OPD, NCOPD, etc we need to make sure we are all taught the importance of communicating, which involves having an open door policy.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 6:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:27:04 -0500

General Colin Powell said it best. "leadership is solving problems. The day Soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stop leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 7 at 2015 6:29 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:29:00 -0500

I rather the Soldier approach me......but I am aware that if I don't have time for them, I can always rely on a barracks lawyer.....in the end I will see them either way, so I'd rather they are confident to come to me from the beginning.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 6:37 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:37:12 -0500

Speaking of yelling ... I've always found that the best senior officers and NCOs are the ones who don't have to yell. They are secure in themselves and their position/rank. The difference between these types of senior personnel and the ones who yell and scream to intimidate their personnel into doing what is required ... the difference is huge and significant. I've seen this up to the 3-star and CSM level, and the quieter senior folks are so much more effective and easy to approach (to tie it in with your original question, SGT Chris Hill).

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 1:55 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 01:55:56 -0500

SGT Hill, I have worked with some of these so called leaders that you speak of. First of all they are not leaders in the truest form. If your warriors cannot approach you, that is your fault and that has consequences to go along with it. If your warriors are having issues either personal or professional and they can't approach you, then how affective are you as a leader? It's simple, you're not! No matter how many deployments you've been on, bronze or silver stars that you wear on your chest, it's never ever ever ok to be unapproachable to your warriors. If that day ever comes for me, I will gladly put my retirement paperwork in and go be a civilian, oh but wait! You mean I have to be approachable as a civilian too? (Sarcasm). Take the time to listen to your warriors, it's important for their development and for our country. I am not going to be in the military forever. I have very little time to train as many people as I can up to my level. When I leave I would hope that I left a few Warriors to take my place and carry on the legacy. Share the wealth of knowledge that you have to your subornates. If you retire and take it with you that's a selfish move!

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 4:33 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 04:33:26 -0500

I have heard this question often and the two concepts really cannot exist together. If you are unapproachable how could you possibly lead? Air Force CSAF General Welsh has a great saying that "every Airman has a story, and unless you know their story you cannot possibly lead them" and I believe there is a great amount of truth to that. The only way you learn their story and get the true pulse of a unit is to be approachable!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 9:33 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 09:33:02 -0500

A "bad leader" is hard to define. We all like to think a good leader resembles George Washington or and Lincoln in character. I used to think my boss's boss was the spawn of evil. 6'2" tall, domineering, permanent angry frown stuck on face, deep unforgiving glares. She is probably the reason we do command climate surveys now. But as it turns out she was a good leader because she was mission oriented, and got the job done to higher standards. She inspired using fear to never make mistakes and to exceed her standards. Despite being a total negative nancy and incredibling intimidating woman, I realized that it didn't matter who you were. You could be a pv2 or a 1 star, and she would rip you a new one if she thought you weren't putting in 100%. She was equally ruthless to anyone. It's hard to think she is a nurse.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:15 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 01:15:53 -0500

How can you lead, mentor and develop your subordinates when you are closed off and unapproachable? It is my job to lead and develop leaders junior to me and I cannot do that if I am unapproachable