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http://taskandpurpose.com/army-lost-art-leadership/
I'm not sure if someone has already posted this article or not. After reading through it, I had to stop and think about what I've learned about leadership in more than ten years in uniform, what I learned while completing my masters degree in leadership from Norwich University, and what I have actually seen in the Army. Sadly, I think I agree with the author, although he over simplifies the problem. There are many types of leaders, some good, some bad, and servant leadership is only one style. Academically, and in my personal experience, one of the most effective, but still only one. When the Army transitioned to all volunteer, coercive styles of leadership should have died, we all know they didn't, and servant leadership, in my opinion, should have come to the fore. Did it? Should it, or should we as leaders rely on another style, positional for example? I'm interested to hear some other leaders' thoughts?
I'm not sure if someone has already posted this article or not. After reading through it, I had to stop and think about what I've learned about leadership in more than ten years in uniform, what I learned while completing my masters degree in leadership from Norwich University, and what I have actually seen in the Army. Sadly, I think I agree with the author, although he over simplifies the problem. There are many types of leaders, some good, some bad, and servant leadership is only one style. Academically, and in my personal experience, one of the most effective, but still only one. When the Army transitioned to all volunteer, coercive styles of leadership should have died, we all know they didn't, and servant leadership, in my opinion, should have come to the fore. Did it? Should it, or should we as leaders rely on another style, positional for example? I'm interested to hear some other leaders' thoughts?
Leader
Leadership
Leadership Development
Command
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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http://ncojournal.dodlive.mil/2013/10/04/the-nco-army-leader-servant-leader/
I wrote this article a couple of years ago... But its what I've been practicing and teaching for 25 plus years. Its not dead... just not practiced as often as it should.
I wrote this article a couple of years ago... But its what I've been practicing and teaching for 25 plus years. Its not dead... just not practiced as often as it should.
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LTC (Join to see)
Great article 1SG, I couldn't agree more. Greenleaf's ideas should mean everything to leaders today. Thank you very much for sharing that.
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I had no qualms being a conduit for soldiers' personal and professional growth. In fact I watched their growth much as a parent watched children. It is also imperative that I prepared soldiers and NCO's for success. It makes everyone look good. Another responsibility is to shield the soldiers from unnecessary harm.
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LTC (Join to see) ...I read this article yesterday and agree with it, but I also believe that it runs deeper than haircuts and PT tests.
In my experience, I believe appearing "good on paper" has become the standard. Leaders who exceed the expectations (and should, by the way) are held in higher regard than the leader who has Soldiers that are exceeding the standard, even if this "high-speed leader" actually couldn't lead troops out of a wet paper bag. I have witnessed this first hand on numerous occasions.
Another issue is that servant leadership is almost non-existent. The higher the echelon in the command, the more this holds true. Too many senior leaders are exercising what I call "Do as I Say, Not as I do" leadership. My beef is how so many Soldiers get left by the wayside as these leaders continue to rise in the ranks.
In my experience, I believe appearing "good on paper" has become the standard. Leaders who exceed the expectations (and should, by the way) are held in higher regard than the leader who has Soldiers that are exceeding the standard, even if this "high-speed leader" actually couldn't lead troops out of a wet paper bag. I have witnessed this first hand on numerous occasions.
Another issue is that servant leadership is almost non-existent. The higher the echelon in the command, the more this holds true. Too many senior leaders are exercising what I call "Do as I Say, Not as I do" leadership. My beef is how so many Soldiers get left by the wayside as these leaders continue to rise in the ranks.
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LTC (Join to see)
That was part of the point I was trying to make in my comments starting the post. Thank you for your much better written comments.
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