What are the best ways/resources to develop personal leadership?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 01:24:09 -0500

I’m a recent graduate of my state’s OCS program and I have moved into a platoon leader position. Prior to this, I was an E-4, enlisted for three years. I’ve spent a few months with my unit before heading out for BOLC and I feel like I’m unsure of what to do.

Firstly, I’m trying to readjust back to attending normal drill periods. Secondly, I frequently ask the NCOs in the platoon what I can do to assist the platoon in completing their current tasks and planning future training. However, they appear to have a good handle on things and there isn’t much for me left to do (from my understanding, prior to my arrival the platoon functioned without a PL for quite some time). Thirdly, I’m trying to figure out how to properly engage with the soldiers. I don’t want to appear like I’m power tripping, or I’m trying to be everyone’s buddy, etc.

My question is what are some effective ways and/or resources to develop myself as a better leader and learn my role in the platoon? Before this, I never had an official leadership role. Student leadership in OCS felt very fast-paced and responsibilities came and went quickly. My goal is to learn how to effectively execute my position as PL and how to interact with NCOs and soldiers. I want to be able to complete the mission and care for soldiers, ideally without giving anyone a reason to doubt their trust in me. Any feedback is welcome.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 2:58 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 02:58:26 -0500

2LT Private RallyPoint Member Great post Lieutenant. Welcome to RallyPoint. If you enter "Leadership" in the Search bar above, hit enter, and then click on "Answers," you will find other Posts that deal with Leadership. I have included a link to an excellent Post by Lt Col Mark W. Burns, that provides excellent suggestions.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, Col Private RallyPoint Member, Lt Col Charlie Brown, LTC Private RallyPoint Member

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-s-your-personal-leadership-philosophy

What's your personal "leadership philosophy?" | RallyPoint

The 'personal leadership philosophy' exercise or journal, many of us have completed this formally, or as part of our own continuing education & development. So, here's the opportunity to refine, reflect, and share those nuggets of wisdom with the RP network, and the next generation of military leaders and thinkers. If you haven't thought about your leadership philosophy or committed it to writing, this is your chance to complete it, while...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 9 at 2018 8:01 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 08:01:23 -0500

1) People. Leadership is relationships, specifically good relationships. KNOW your people. As it stands, it sounds like you know your folks have things under control operationally. But what do they need "professionally?" Although there is a divide on the officer/enlisted side, YOU are still a first line MENTOR. One of your primary leadership duties is setting up your folks for succession career wise. Do you know who is ready to promote? Who should have already been promoted? Who needs time before promotion (and in what areas)?

2) Systems. The Army (the entire military) is a SYSTEM which you were previously only dealing with a very small part of. You are now dealing with a much larger part of it, and how it interacts with the whole. Learn that system as best you can. By learning the system you are able to navigate it better, and more importantly help your people (#1) navigate it better.

3) Mission. What is your unit/branch mission? Know your job. The better you know your job, the more you are able to work within the system (#2) which in turn helps your people (#1). Be the LT that can can anticipate coming demands, and have your people already working on them or better yet have them completed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 12:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 12:15:51 -0500

Whenever unsure of anything, use the acrynom “FITFO.” Figure it the F@ck Out! Thats your job now LT. Good luck!

Response by COL David Turk made Dec 9 at 2018 2:04 PM

COL David Turk — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 14:04:42 -0500

Be a sponge. Find someone in a leadership role, talk to them and if applicable, make them a mentor and/or advisor. Use your peers. Observe. Sometimes the best lesson is “what not to do”.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 9 at 2018 4:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 16:59:30 -0500

First and foremost, get a platoon and build a good relationship with the PLSG.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 10 at 2018 11:24 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:24:29 -0500

Since you haven't Branch qualified yet, I would go in assuming that I know nothing about what's going on in the Platoon. I would pull the FM for my branch Platoon and Squad level along with the ATP (or what every they call it these days), in my case FM3-21.8 The Infantry Platoon and Squad, and find out what they are supposed to know, then find a training schedule to see what's coming up. Then I would set down and do a face to face counseling session first with the Platoon SGT., then each individual squad leader to get their assessment of the platoon's and squad's strengths and weaknesses. Also any personal issues, people that need schools, late bonuses, need promoted, need remedial training. That should give you a handle on what's going on in the unit.
Then let the Sergeants do their job. In general, the day to day administration and individual training of the soldiers is their responsibility. Squad level and Squad Leader training is yours. Don't micro manage, but if it isn't inspected, it isn't done. I made it a rule to at least have a working knowledge of everything my Platoon or Company was tasked. Even as an Engineer Captain I was licensed on every piece of big equipment for a CEV to a Jeep (yes, we still had Jeeps for a while back then). I didn't try to become the subject expert, but I knew enough to insure that things were being done correctly. If you need train up on a subject matter and have a qualified soldier, let them do the train up. Soldiers love to explain their jobs and then they also know something about what they do also.
Set the example. Show up on time, it's best to be a early, let them see you pass the AFPT and stuff like rifle or pistol range.
Get your BOLC out of the way. Go to Ranger School if it's available and any other of the schools you can get.
Good luck. Company level Officer is something you will always remember.