What is your opinion of SMA Daily's Top TEN?

2015-11-24T10:41:31-05:00

Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey doesn’t pull any punches when he’s talking to his fellow senior non-commissioned officers.

Dailey, who has been the Army’s top enlisted soldier since Jan. 30, has 10 leadership tips he often shares with them, particularly those preparing to become sergeants major.

My particular favorite is:
No. 2. Think about what you’re going to say before you say it.

I’ve never regretted taking the distinct opportunity to keep my mouth shut.

You’re the sergeant major. People are going to listen to you.

By all means, if you have something important or something informative to add to the discussion, then say it. But don’t just talk so people can hear you. For goodness sake, you’re embarrassing the rest of us. Sit down and listen. Sometimes you might just learn something.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/11/23/sma-daileys-top-10-leadership-tips-sergeants-major/76268752/

SMA Dailey's top 10 leadership tips for sergeants major

Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey doesn’t pull any punches when he’s talking to his fellow senior noncommissioned officers.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 24 at 2015 10:43 AM

2015-11-24T10:43:45-05:00

I think his approach is a good start SFC Stephen King.
Earlier I posted a disagreement with his comments that nondeployable soldiers were dead weight. I think he is a good man who is doing his best to properly exercise his responsibilities.
His 10 points seem to be well thought out and good advice.
No. 1. Yelling doesn’t make you skinny. PT does.
No. 2. Think about what you’re going to say before you say it.
No. 3. If you find yourself having to remind everyone all of the time that you’re the sergeant major and you’re in charge, you’re probably not.
No. 4.You have to work very hard at being more informed and less emotional. Take time to do the research.
No. 5.If you can’t have fun every day, then you need to go home.
No. 6. Don’t be the feared leader. It doesn’t work.
No. 7. Don’t do anything — and I mean anything — negative over email. You have to call them. Go see them in person. Email’s just a tool. It’s not a substitute for leadership. It’s also permanent.
No. 8. It’s OK to be nervous. All of us are.
No. 9. If your own justification for being an expert in everything you do is your 28 years of military experience, then it’s time to fill out your 4187 [form requesting personnel action] and end your military experience.
No. 10. Never forget that you're just a soldier. That’s all you are. No better than any other, but just one of them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-11-24T10:44:24-05:00

Duplicate post. Regardless, all of his points are exceptional but sadly are not followed by some. I think the points are great for any NCO.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-11-24T11:01:37-05:00

Sound like pretty solid advice to me, but I'd add one.
I think the most important thing a senior NCO does in a unit is design the unit training plan with the other NCOs and with the commander's goals in mind. THAT is where the rubber meets the road.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Nov 24 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-11-24T11:25:09-05:00

SFC Stephen King IMO they are pretty much spot on. I did #7 once, right after I came out of being a PSG. I wrote who I was used to talking to other PSGs. The other SFC's feelings got hurt and my boss told me that "you can't send emails by how are used to talk to other PSGs." Since then, I would type what I felt at the time, wait until I calmed down and then type it less mean.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-11-24T12:32:28-05:00

Outstanding, how many times have we been standing in formation listening to CSM babble about nothing on Fridays. I don't know about you but, I have even experianced the CSM who knows he isn't in compliance with AR 600-9. I think his top ten was a gut check while using professional courtesy.He didn't really say that these were problems he sees with Sergeants Major's, but you can kind of guess the obvious.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 24 at 2015 3:20 PM

2015-11-24T15:20:39-05:00

I think these are great for anyone wearing stripes or shiny rank...